Fayette

Fayette County

Updated on: November 18, 2021
Coordinates
29 51' 36" N, 96 55' 48" W (29.86, -96.93)
State
Texas
Region
Central
County Seat:
La Grange
Year Organized:
1837
Total Square Miles:
959.808
950 square miles (2,500 km2) land
9.8 square miles (25 km2) water
Population:
25272 (2017)
Population: 24,554 (2010)
Persons/Square Mile:
26
Fayette County Website
http://www.co.fayette.tx.us/

Contiguous Counties

Lee (N)
Washington (NE)
Austin (E)
Colorado (SE)
Lavaca (S)
Gonzales (SW)
Caldwell (W)
Bastrop (NW)

County structure

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

Demographics

2018 Population:
25272
25 to 64 Years of Age:
47.39%
65 Years of Age and Older:
25.37%

Economy, 2018

Gross Domestic Product (GDP):
$1.7 B
Labor Force:
12,606
Unemployment Rate:
2.80%

County Contact

119 W Colorado St
County Courthouse
La Grange, TX, 78945-2658

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

Fayette County, Texas, is named after Marquis de Lafayette, a French general and hero of the American Revolution.  

The county is in southwestern Pennsylvania, adjacent to Maryland and West Virginia. The county seat is La Grange which houses most of the government offices and businesses.  

Fayette is one of the fastest-growing counties in the state. Many small towns throughout this rural county have been established over the last few years. 

Geography and Population 

According to U.S. Census Bureau, Fayette County has 2,486 km². It is the third-smallest county in Texas by land area and the fourth least densely populated county in Texas.  

Fayette has 25,346 people as of the 2019 census. Out of this, the ratio of males to females is 49.3: 50.7% respectively.  

The race and Hispanic origin statistics show that there were 14,811 White, 3,942 Black, 1,543 Asian, 564 American Indian/Alaskan Native. Out of these, 6,066 people speak Spanish at home, while 4,071 do not. 

Most residents speak English. Other languages include Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean.   

The county terrain consists mostly of rolling hills with some flat areas along streams. There are no major bodies of water within its borders. 

What Makes the County Unique 

The county contains two state parks; Lake LBJ State Park and San Jacinto Battlegrounds State Historic Site. Both sites contain historical markers about the history of the region. 

Several historic buildings, including the Old Courthouse Museum, the old courthouse built in 1849, and the former jail building from 1848, are found in the county. 

Other notable places include the Lyndon B Johnson Library & Museum, where President John Kennedy gave his famous speech announcing he would run for president in 1960. 

Also, the city of Austin is just over 100 miles away. Therefore, it allows easy access to many other cities like Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, El Paso, etc.  

Yonder Way Farm is another interesting place to visit. Yonder Way Farm is one of only three remaining working farms in Central Texas. The farm produces organic vegetables and fruits all year-round. Visitors can tour the grounds and learn how they produce their food. 

In addition, you can visit the Fayetteville Area Heritage Museum, which houses exhibits related to local history. FAHM offers tours of the museum every Saturday morning between 10 am – 12 pm.  

Another great thing to see is the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District. Located near downtown Ft. Worth, the district includes over 200 commercial structures dating back to the late 19th century.   

Many commercial structures house restaurants that serve traditional cowboy fares like barbecue ribs, steak sandwiches, chili con carne, and fried chicken. 

Climate Conditions in Fayette 

Mostly hot summers and mild winters characterize Fayette weather. The average temperature is between 70°F and 90°F. Rainfall averages around 10 inches per month. The most rain falls from May through September. Snowfall occasionally occurs during the winter months. 

As such, Fayette offers a good climate for outdoor activities. You will find plenty of opportunities to enjoy nature’s beauty. For example, hiking trails abound throughout the county. These trails range from short walks to long treks. Some even lead into national forests or wilderness preserves.  

You may want to take advantage of the numerous lakes throughout the county. They offer fishing, boating, swimming, camping, picnicking, and much more.  

Fayette County Towns 

Fayette has ten major towns. These towns have major activities and attractions. 

LaGrange town is the county seat of Fayette County. James W. Collins founded la Grange on March 20, 1838.  

Fayetteville is another town that is part of Fayette County. It was established as a city in 1876 and had some government offices. 

Schulenburg is an unincorporated community in western Fayette County near Schulenberg Creek. It is known for its historic buildings, including the Old School House Museum.  

Flatonia town is also an unincorporated area in west-central Fayette County. It is where most agricultural activities happen. 

Round Top is a town in central Fayette County. Round Top is home to many historical sites, such as Fort Worth State Park. 

Carmine is a small town in eastern Fayette County. Carmine is home to the famous Carmine Ranch.  

Praha is a town in east-central Fayette County along U.S. Highway 80. Praha is home to the Prairie View A&M University campus. 

Cistern is a town in southeastern Fayette County. Cisterna is home to the Cisterna Dam, which provides water for the surrounding areas. 

Muldoon and Winchester are two other smaller communities in Fayette County. Muldoon is home to the Muldoon Lake Recreation Area. Winchester is home to the Winchester Reservoir. 

County offices in Fayette 

The county offices ensure service delivery to residents. The following list provides contact information and roles of key county offices.   

The County Judge’s office is under Judge Joe Weber. His role is to oversee court operations and provide legal advice to elected officials. 

He can help resolve disputes among citizens and settle lawsuits filed against the county. Contact the office at (979) 968-6469 or [email protected].  

Sheriff’s Office: Sheriff Korenek oversees law enforcement services provided by his deputies. This includes patrolling roads, enforcing traffic laws, investigating criminal activity, and providing security at schools and other government buildings. Contact them at (979) 968-8991. 

Tax Collector: Tax collector collects property taxes owed by landowners. Sylvia Mendoza also handles delinquent tax payments. Contact the office at 979-968-3164 or [email protected]. 

The County Clerk office is under Brenda Fietsam. The office’s role is to maintain records for elections, births, deaths, marriages, divorces, adoptions, land transactions, etc. Call the at (979) 968-3251. 

Finally, the County Auditor office is under Cindy Havelka. The office phone is (979) 968-3055. The auditor maintains financial accounts for the county. 

Conclusion 

Fayette County offers many opportunities for those looking to relocate. There are plenty of jobs available, especially in the construction and manufacturing industries.  

You will find affordable housing options, which makes living costs lower compared to surrounding areas. Finally, the community is friendly and welcoming towards newcomers.