Austin County, the colonial capital of Texas, remains one of the US counties with the most affluent cultural and historical background. Also, the rural terrain, characterized by numerous hills and farms, provides for a beautiful landscape to behold. Notably, Stephen .F. Austin founded the County in 1837.

Austin County, the rural agriculture home in Texas, boasts 30167 inhabitants. It covers a geographical area of 656 square miles or 1700km2. Bellville, the County’s seat, is located in the Houston woodlands in the statistical area of Texas Metropolitan.

The county’s historical roots remain the famous Stephen Austin’s original settlements. More importantly, the County retains diverse ethnic backgrounds giving it a unique blend of a rich cultural heritage.

The predominant communities in the County of Austin include, among others, the polish, Germans, Spanish, and Czech.

Austin County Offices

Austin County Administrative Unit is a system that comprises numerous professional office bearers meant to deliver effective services to the County Residents.

The office of the County Judge

Judge Tim Lapham is the Austin County Judge. You can reach out to him at 1 East Main Bellville, Texas 77418 or call 979-865-5911. Also, you can email him at [email protected].

The County Judge remains the CEO of Austin County, Texas. Therefore he presides over the entire administrative functions of the County. He supervises all aspects of the County government operations, such as presiding over the Commissioners Court and preparing the County budget.

County Clerk

Carrie Gregor serves as the Austin County Clerk. You may contact him through 1 East Main, Bellville, Texas 77418; Phone number is979-865-5911.

Austin County Clerk serves as the clerk of both the County Court and County Commissioners Court. Also, he records deeds and critical instruments.

The County Clerk takes depositions apart from the issuance of marriage licenses in the County. Additionally, he remains responsible for conducting unique County and general elections.

Commissioners of Courts

The board consists of the County Judge and four Commissioners elected from a quarter of the population.

Commissioners information;

Mark Lamp, One East Main, Bellville, Texas 77418, Tel 979-530-5076.

Robert “Bobby” Rinn, P.O. Box 275, Industry, TX 78944, Tel 979-357-4780.

Leroy Cerny, 166 Jefferson, Cat Spring, TX 78933. Tel 979-865-5441.

Chip Reed, P.O. Box 754, Wallis, TX 77485, Tel 979-865-9157.

The committee enjoys executive powers and can hire and fire County departmental heads.

The Commissioner of Courts controls County land usage and is responsible for environmental issues.

County Treasurer

Bryan Haevischer occupies the office of the Austin County Treasurer. He can be reached at 1 East Main, Bellville, TX 77418-1521 and Tel 979-865-5911.

The Austin County Treasurer is responsible for bonds generated in the County. Additionally, his responsibilities include processing cash bail bonds and juror payments.

County Tax Collector

Kim Rinn of address 804 E, Wendt and phone 979-865-8633 occupies the position of the County Tax Collector.

The Tax Collector or Assessor is responsible for collecting taxes and other county fees in Austin, Texas. More importantly, he calculates tax rates for properties owned in the County.

County Court of Law

Daniel W. Leedy can be reached through 1 East Main, Bellville, Texas 77418 and Tel 979-865-5911.

This trial court based in Austin County, Texas, enjoys jurisdiction over numerous cases. It promptly dispenses justice on both criminal and civil cases in the County.

The Office of the Sheriff

Jack Brandes occupies the office of the Sheriff Austin County, Texas. He can be reached using 417N Chesley Bellville, TX 77418 and Tel 979-865-3111.

The office of Sheriff performs numerous critical duties. The sheriff conducts some magistrate duties and presides over cases with disputes of up to $20,000.

Additionally, he listens to controversies involving landlords and tenants, misdemeanor, and traffic offenses.

Historical Background of the County of Austin

In 1821, the government of Mexico granted permission to a settler called Moses to open a new settlement in Texas. The authorities allowed him to carry along 300 families to establish the new colony.

But Moses couldn’t establish this colony in Texas. So, before he died, he made another request to the Mexican authorities to let his son Stephen. F. Austin actualized the colonization plan.

When Stephen. F. Austin arrived in Texas; he selected this site and established the colony that his father had earlier conceived.

 The settlement towns in Austin, established in 1823, grew as the communities embraced civilization. Consequently, the first settlers in the colony picked Son Felipe de Austin as the colony’s first administrative headquarters.

Other communities from Germany, Poland, Spain, and the Czech joined the African Americans to form a genuinely cosmopolitan county with diverse cultural and historical backgrounds.

Towns in Austin County

Bellville City

Bellville city, the county seat of Austin County, is located in the South of Texas. The town got its name from Thomas. B. Bell. 

In 1846, voters set up a new county seat from the previous one located at San Felipe. Thus, Bell donated the land for this new county seat, and voters honored him by naming the city after him.

Brazos Country

Brazos city, located southeast of Sealy in Austin County, TX, has 618 inhabitants as per the 2019 census. Also, the city mayor presides over the administrative aspects of Brazos City Country.

Industry City

Industry City is a town found at the junction of Farm market road 109 and State highway 159 in Austin County.

City of Sealy

Historians trace the rich history of Texas from the city of Sealy in 1820. More importantly, Sealy city remains the economic hub of Austin County.

The city of Sealy’s prime location means it plays a significant role in access and ease of transportation to other towns.

Additionally, Families find Sealy city the best place to relax due to its nature as a semi-rural environment.

Education in the County of Austin

Austin County hosts a total of 317 schools, with 251 public schools and 66 private schools.

Education costs per student in Austin almost marches the annual education cost per student in the US. Austin’s figures stand at $12118 per student compared to the US national figure of $ 12383.

It means Austin is a slightly cheaper place to take than other US areas.

Annual Events in Austin County

As a Texas county, Austin boasts unique features: an actualized exciting history, beautiful natural landscape, booming music industry, outstanding ranches, and hospitable citizens.

The County offers numerous events and activities that people participate in throughout the year. Popular events like a monthly farmers market, state-of-the-art car shows, and big-time fanfares illuminate the city life in Austin County.

Revelers, passersby, and visitors have an excellent opportunity to participate in Austin County’s annual events. All they need to do is schedule their visit to coincide with the time their events of choice will take place.

Churches in Austin County

A significant Christian population lives in the County of Austin. Consequently, there exist numerous churches that represent the different Christian denominations staying in Austin County, Texas.

Accommodation in Austin County

Visitors to Austin County need not worry about the accommodation. There are many hotels, apartments, guest houses, and ranches that offer accommodation and hospitality services. 

Nonetheless, they need to search for available apartments online. They can search using location, hotel amenities supplied, and more.

Sample Accommodations found in Austin County;

County Side Inn
Holiday Inn Express & Suites
Super 8 Hotels
Artists-Hide way-Guesthouse
Dove Cottage B&B
Holland House
Cat Spring

Eating Places in Austin County

Austin is a cosmopolitan place. Its inhabitants come from different nationalities that have different food cultures and preferences.

Consequently, the numerous hotels in Austin County cater to people with multiple and diverse food preferences. Some of the most recognizable eating places in Austin County;

Bellville Meat Market
Cielito Lindo Restaurant II
Dairy Queen-Bellville
EL Jimador Mexican Grill #5
Galileo Mexican Grill
Golden Pagoda
Miss Bobi’s Roadhouse
Newman’s Bakery
Sonic Drive-in
The Hill Restaurant
Yani’s Steak House

Austin County and State Parks

Austin County remains the epicenter of some of the most diverse terrain and ecosystem in Texas. Also, it enjoys a marvelous sprawl of landscape and natural vegetation that gives it a rural outlook.

A combination of limestone cliffs, lakes, rivers, creeks, giant oak, cypress trees, Rocky River beds, and caves makes Austin a natural host of some of the best State and County parks in the US.

Visitors to Austin County will enjoy visiting some of these parks;

Machinery Falls State Park
Bastrop State Park & the lost pines
Lockhart State Park
Reimers Ranch Park
Palmetto State Park
Pedernales Falls State Park
Colorado Bend State Park
Emma Long Metropolitan Park
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area

Museums in Austin County

The plethora of Museums found in Austin makes it a natural place for tourists and visitors. Those who appreciate the exotic sculptures and fine arts or love literary manuscripts and photographs will find exciting museums to visit.

Austin County is the home of these Museums;
Bullock Texas State History Museum
Harry Ransom Center’s Literary Treasures
Blanton Museum of Art
UMLAUF Sculpture Garden and Museum