Caldwell

Caldwell County

Updated on: November 16, 2021
Coordinates
29° 50' 24" N, 97° 36' 36" W (29.84, -97.61)
State
Texas
Region
Central
County Seat:
Lockhart
Year Organized:
1848
Total Square Miles:
547.162
545 square miles (1,410 km2) land
1.9 square miles (4.9 km2) water
Population:
42338 (2017)
Population: 43,664 Est. (2019) 38,066 (2010)
Persons/Square Mile:
77
Caldwell County Website
http://www.co.caldwell.tx.us/

Contiguous Counties

Travis (N)
Bastrop (NE)
Fayette (SE)
Gonzales (S)
Guadalupe (SW)
Hays (NW)

County structure

Government Type:
County
Authority:
Dillon's Rule
Legislative Body:
Commisioners Court
Size of Legislative Body:
5

Demographics

2018 Population:
42338
25 to 64 Years of Age:
50.45%
65 Years of Age and Older:
14.36%

Economy, 2018

Gross Domestic Product (GDP):
$893.7 M
Labor Force:
19,092
Unemployment Rate:
3.60%

County Contact

110 S Main St
County Courthouse
Lockhart, TX, 78644-2701

http://www.co.caldwell.tx.us

Caldwell county was formed in the 18th century and got its name from Mathew Caldwell, a ranger of the Republic. The county sits along the Gulf of Mexico, with adjacent cities like Fayette, Bastrop, and Hays bordering it.   

The county seat is Lockhart which was formed in 1848, becoming part of the state of Texas. 

History and Demographics 

The county traces back to 1883 to an area that included present-day Liberty Hill, New Waverly, and West Columbia. In 1889, the townships were divided into three districts: East, North, and South.  

On January 1, 1890, the town of Lockhart became the county seat for Caldwell County. 

Matthew Caldwell persuaded people to move to Caldwell and set up businesses there. By 1900, the population had grown from 2,000 residents to over 10,000. During World War II, it grew even larger because many men left their jobs at war factories to work on farms or other industries. 

After the war ended, they returned home and built new homes. Many of these families still live in Caldwell today. 

According to the US Census Bureau, the current population at Caldwell in the 2019 census was 43,664 and still growing Geography. Many people are moving to Caldwell because of the pleasant weather, agriculture, oil industry, tourism, and proximity to Austin and San Antonio. 

What Is Caldwell County Known For? 

Caldwell is known for producing the best furniture in the world. Several furniture companies are located here, including Herman Miller Furniture Company, Kincaid Furniture Manufacturing Co., and American Heritage Furniture.  

These companies have been around for over 100 years. They produce high-quality products made by skilled artisans who use traditional methods.  

Their product lines include office chairs, sofas, dining room tables, bedroom sets, entertainment centers, etc. Some of them also make custom pieces such as desks, bookcases, and cabinets. 

Besides furniture manufacturing, Caldwell is also famous for its cattle ranching. Indigenous settlers keep cattle for beef production.  

The vast lands owned by the ranches allow the cattle to be grazed on the land. This provides employment opportunities for local ranchers and farmers. 

In recent times, Caldwell’s economy has shifted towards service-based industries. As mentioned above, the city is close to two major metropolitan areas; Austin and San Antonio.   

Because of this, Caldwell attracts many young professionals looking for affordable housing options near urban living.   

What Cities Are in Caldwell County, TX? 

Caldwell county has four major cities. These include Lockhart, which is the county seat. Lockhart is the largest city in Caldwell County.  

It is located about 20 miles south of downtown Houston. It is the location where most government offices are found. Therefore, if you are looking for essential services from the county, this is the place to visit.  

Most of the schools are also located within the city limits. Luling town is a small community with less than 5,000 inhabitants. It is located just north of Lockhart. This is a peaceful town if you plan to settle and do your business.  

Martindale town is another small community. It is located east of Luling. Finally, we have Prairie Lea Town. Located west of Luling, it is one of the newest communities in the county. 

Public Information Request at Caldwell County 

Caldwell county provides full access to information regarding public services provided by the county. You can request information through email, phone call, fax, mail, or online form.  

The texas public information act is available to guide you when requesting records. If your request involves confidential information, you must submit an application that states why the record should be kept private. 

Note that some might need payment of fees before receiving their requested documents. However, if you do not want to pay any fee, you may ask for free copies instead.  

To get these free copies, you will need to fill out a short questionnaire on how much time you spent searching for the document. After filling out the questionnaire, they will send you a copy of what you asked for. 

Caldwell County Offices 

The Caldwell County Offices provide various types of services to residents. Among those services are: 

County Judge office: It is headed by Hoppy Haden. His responsibilities as a county judge include overseeing all court cases involving Caldwell County. He oversees the budget, finances, personnel matters, and other issues related to the judicial branch. To contact the CJ, call the office at (512) 398-1809. 

County Clerk Office: Provides marriage licenses, birth certificates, adoptions, name changes, and other legal forms. The clerk is Teresa Rodriguez, and you can reach her through [email protected] or call the office for directions via 512-398-1804. 

The County Auditor office: This is another key office. It is under Barbara A. Gonzales, who serves as the auditor. She handles financial audits, tax assessments, property appraisals, and other duties.  

The County Tax Assessor-Collector Office: This office is headed by Darla Law, collecting taxes and distributing them among counties. Her office is open Tuesday through Saturday. You can find more details here. Alternatively, call the office at 512-398-1830 to submit your issues.   

The County Treasurer’s office: It is under Angela Meuth Rawlinson. Her roles include handling funds collected by the assessor/collector and distributing money to cities, townships, school districts, etc. You can either go there directly or call at (512) 398-1800. 

County Sheriff: It is under Sheriff Mike Lane. The office handles law enforcement within the county. They handle traffic tickets, criminal investigations, prisoner transport, and many others. You can call this number 512-398-6777 to reach the county sheriff. 

Caldwell County Elections 

The county government oversees the elections process. There are three offices involved with election administration. These are the Election Administrator, Voter Registrar, Poll Worker, and Coordinator. Each one has different functions but works together to ensure fair voting practices.   

Additionally, the elections department conducts county, federal, and state elections. If you have questions about an upcoming election, check with the voter registrar first. For information regarding registration deadlines, please refer to the link.