Hays

Hays County

Updated on: November 18, 2021
Coordinates
30 3' 36" N, 98 1' 48" W (30.06, -98.03)
State
Texas
Region
Central
County Seat:
San Marcos
Year Organized:
1848
Total Square Miles:
679.923
678 square miles (1,760 km2) land
1.9 square miles (4.9 km2) (0.3%) water
Population:
214485 (2017)
Population: 204,470 Est. (2016) 157,127 (2010)
Persons/Square Mile:
315
Hays County Website
http://www.co.hays.tx.us/

Contiguous Counties

Travis (NE)
Caldwell (SE)
Guadalupe (S)
Comal (SW)
Blanco (NW)

County structure

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

Demographics

2018 Population:
214485
25 to 64 Years of Age:
49.49%
65 Years of Age and Older:
10.99%

Economy, 2018

Gross Domestic Product (GDP):
$6.3 B
Labor Force:
114,386
Unemployment Rate:
3.00%

County Contact

111 E San Antonio St
County Courthouse
San Marcos, TX, 78666-5534

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

Hays County, one of the fastest-growing counties in the State of Texas, was established in 1848. The State legislature located the County on the border between Edward Plateau and the Black Prairie area. 

The County seat remains in San Marcos, and the US 2020 census captures Hays County Population at 230,191 people. 

The County covers an estimated area of 1800 square kilometers. Additionally, the State legislature named the County for John “Jack” Coffee Hays. 

The County hosts some of the biggest and most famous universities and colleges in the State of Texas. These are Texas State University and the McCoy College of Business Administration among others. 

History of Hays County, Texas 

The government of Coahuila and Texas issued land grants to encourage settlements in Texas. Also, after the end of the Mexican War of Independence, beneficiaries of the land grants were;  

  • Juan Martin Veramendi 1831 
  • Juan Vicente Campos 1832 
  • Thomas Jefferson Chambers 1834 

In 1835, the Mexican government kept encouraging settlements and establishments of ranches by American settlers. Consequently, it issued Thomas G. Mc Gehee a parcel of land as part of their land grant issuing exercise. 

In 1846 Thomas was farming in a region believed to be north of the present-day San Marcos. 

Furthermore, in1848, Texas State considered the region to have met the threshold of forming a County. Thus, the State legislature formed Hays County from a section of Travis County. 

The State legislature named the new County for Jon Coffee Hays, with San Marcos being the County seat. 

Hays County Offices 

Hays County retains numerous offices occupied by professionals who work closely to offer citizens essential services. 

Reuben Becerra presides over as the County Judge, and citizens can reach him using phone:512-393-2205. 

Judge Reuben presides over the County Commissioners Court that includes four Precinct Commissioners. 

Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe sits as the Commissioners Precinct 1, and citizens can reach her using the phone: 512-303-2243.  

Mark Jones occupies the office of Commissioner Precincts 2,  and residents can reach him using the phone;512-262-2081. 

Lon Shell sits as the Commissioner Precinct 3, and residents can reach him using phone:512-847-3159. 

Walt Smith occupies the office of Commissioner Precinct 4, and citizens can reach him using phone:512-858-7268.  

Marisol Villarreal Alonzo remains the County Auditor, and citizens can reach Marisol using phone:512-393-2283. 

Elaine Cardenas presides over as the County Clerk, and residents can reach her using phone:512-393-7330. 

Britney Bolton Richey sits as the County Treasurer, and residents can reach Britney using phone:512-393-2236. 

Jenifer O’Kane occupies the office of the County Tax Collector, and citizens can reach her using her phone:512-858-5105. 

Gary Cutler presides over as the Sheriff of Hays County, and citizens can reach him via phone:512-393-7800. 

Cost of Living in Hays County 

The overall cost of living in Hays Country remains higher than the average US cost. Also, the cost of groceries, utilities, and health services remains lower than in many other regions of the US. 

However, the cost of housing and transportation remains higher than the average US cost. These two budget items are higher than in most regions of the United States of America. 

The Economy of Hays County 

Several industries and sectors of the economy are doing well. Thus, they contribute to the economic well-being of Hays County:  

  • Retail trade 
  • Construction 
  • Manufacturing 
  • Professional and technical services 
  • Healthcare services 
  • Education 
  • Food and accommodation 

Hays County’s unemployment rate stands at 5.3%, which remains lower than the US average of 6.0%. The job market did well over the past year as a growth of 3.5% was realized. 

Estimated job market growth projections covering the next ten years remain high at 53,4%, while the US average stands at 33.5%. 

The average yearly income per person stands at $27080, while the annual average income per person in the US remains at $28555. 

Education in Hays County, Texas 

Parents pay $9,242 a year as the cost of taking their children to school in Hays County. If you compare it with the average annual US expenditure per student, it remains a smaller amount than the US figure of $12,383. 

Hays County provides one teacher for every 14 pupils. Thus, this arrangement ensures pupils get more attention during classes. 

Additionally, the County provides a librarian for every 970 pupils and a counselor for every 538 pupils.  

The Public Information System in Hays County, Texas 

Hays County government provides a public portal that citizens can use to request public information. Notably, the Public Information Act does not allow the County to create new information to satisfy citizens’ information requests. 

Instead, citizens can only request public information that already exists. The Public Information Act doesn’t require government agencies to conduct research nor answer questions from the public. 

The County may take up to ten business days to provide information when a citizen requests. Sometimes, the County may charge fees for the public information as provided in the Public Information Act. 

Hays County’s Recycling and Solid Waste Facility 

Hays County provides recycling facilities on two sites. One of the facilities, located in Wimberly, can be reached by using the phone: 512-618-7175. Also, the other recycling facility located in Driftwood can be reached using phone:512-216-5235. 

The County opens the facilities from Tuesdays to Saturdays, 8.00 am to 4.00 pm. Contrastingly, the recycling facilities will remain closed during all the major public holidays, including Christmas Day and New year Day, 

The County doesn’t offer trash picking up services both to homes and businesses. However, private firms offer these services in Hays County: 

  • Texas Recycle TVs 
  • Texas Recycle Computers 

Therefore, individuals and businesses who may want to dispose of their TVs and Computer hardware can contact these two recycling facilities. 

Office of the Emergency Services in Hays County, Texas 

This office consists of three broad areas and functions, Notably, the Office of Emergency Management, the Fire Marshal’s Office, and the emergency preparedness office. 

Additionally, the offices serve different individual needs but work together to protect citizens from all kinds of emergencies and disasters. 

The emergency management team sets up plans and programs to protect citizens from unforeseen emergencies. 

Also, Fire Marshals have a clear mandate to protect citizens from fire outbreaks in the County. In contrast, emergency preparedness covers the coordination of plans to protect citizens during emergencies and disasters.