San Saba

San Saba County

Updated on: January 11, 2022
Coordinates
31 9' 36" N, 98 48' 36" W (1.16, -98.81)
State
Texas
Region
Central
County Seat:
San Saba
Year Organized:
1856
Total Square Miles:
1138.414
1,135 square miles (2,940 km2) land
3.1 square miles (8.0 km2) water
Population:
5959 (2017)
Population: 5,944 Est. (2016) 6,131 (2010)
Persons/Square Mile:
5
San Saba County Website
http://www.co.san-saba.tx.us/

Contiguous Counties

Mills (N)
Lampasas (E)
Burnet (SE)
Llano (S)
Mason (SW)
McCulloch (W)
Brown (NW)

County structure

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

Demographics

2018 Population:
5959
25 to 64 Years of Age:
46.42%
65 Years of Age and Older:
23.89%

Economy, 2018

Gross Domestic Product (GDP):
$176.5 M
Labor Force:
2,521
Unemployment Rate:
3.00%

County Contact

500 E Wallace St
County Courthouse
San Saba, TX, 76877-3608

http://www.co.san-saba.tx.us

San Saba County in Texas is one of the smallest counties in the state, spanning just 206 square miles. The county seat, also called San Saba, was founded in 1858 by missionaries from the Society of Friends and named after the San Saba River that flows through its center. With just 5730 residents as of 2020, it is one of the least populated counties in Texas. Still, it has a rich history due to its location on the traditional Central Plains Trail that led Native Americans and early settlers through the area between Mexico and Colorado.

Facts and Figures

As of 2020, about 5,730 people live in San Saba County. The county was founded in 1858 and is named after a nearby Indian tribe and the San Saba River. There are two incorporated towns in San Saba County: Star and Brackettville.

One of Texas’s famous nineteenth-century governors, George T. Wood, served his term out of the office from his home at Hallettsville Ranch. Fewer than 8 percent of residents age 25 or older have a bachelor’s degree or higher. According to Forbes magazine, it’s one of America’s ten most scenic counties.

The average household income is $40,000 per year; about 38 percent of residents live below the poverty level. The median rent in San Saba County is $360 per month; homeowners make an average monthly mortgage payment of $1,043.

More than 20 percent of employees work in agriculture. Nearly 24 percent work in education services, while 20 percent work in leisure and hospitality positions. Retail companies employ just under 17 percent; around 15 percent work for companies providing healthcare services.

The Best Restaurants

San Saba offers residents and visitors a wide range of dining options with restaurants to suit every taste. Whether you’re looking for food from all over the world or just want something specific, San Saba has it. You’ll find diners, fast-food chains, pubs, and local favorites on nearly every corner—and each dish is a savory delight. Here are picks for the best spots around town.

Buddy’s Roadhouse: Fine dining with great food and craft beer. At Buddy’s Roadhouse in San Saba, TX 78627, you can experience both at once, offering burgers galore and delectable cuisine from salads to steaks.

La Cocina Mexican Grill: Looking for authentic Mexican cuisine? Look no further than La Cocina Mexican Grill in San Saba, TX 78627, offering top-notch Tex Mex dishes since 2007! There’s a full bar available. 

Cattlemen’s Steakhouse: As one of San Saba’s most venerable (and longest-standing) restaurants, Cattlemen’s Steakhouse offers delicious mainstays like steak, shrimp, and more. In business since 1975, Cattlemen’s Steakhouse is an integral part of San Saba history… for a good reason! There’s a full bar available.

Major Attractions

Herrington Lake, Inks Lake State Park, and Fort McKavett are in San Saba County. The area contains more than 40 historical sites. Camping and hiking are popular activities for visitors to Herrington Lake year-round, with boating and fishing during the summer months.

San Saba is also home to numerous birds of prey due to its diverse ecosystem of grasslands, canyons, creeks, marshes, and old-growth trees. Red-tailed hawks have been observed nesting on buildings such as churches or fire department watchtowers; some residents have also claimed sightings of golden eagles over their property.

The area’s high diversity of mammals makes it a perfect location for observing white-tailed deer. Bighorn sheep were once native to the area but no longer reside within San Saba County’s boundaries. However, state officials have proposals under consideration that would reintroduce bighorn sheep into parts of west-central Texas where they have been absent for many years.

Topography

The terrain of San Saba County is primarily flat, but several canyons and ridges cross it. The largest of these include Bitter Creek Canyon, which runs along State Highway 16 from the south of Saint Jo to Bailey’s Prairie; Hickory Creek Canyon, which runs from southeast of Mountain Home to southwest of Smiley; and Miller Ridge, which stretches from east of Plemons to northwest of Menard.

In most places, streams are small, with banks sometimes lined with thick brush and trees. Large stream crossings generally require caution when driving due to possible livestock on roadways during drought conditions.

Public land is common throughout San Saba County and provides a wide variety of outdoor activities, including camping, fishing, hunting, and hiking. National forests near San Saba include Davy Crockett National Forest, Fort Phantom Hill Military Reservation (now part of Sam Houston National Forest), Lake Davis Wildlife Management Area, and Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge.

Climate

San Saba County is in West Central Texas, where rainfall averages around 20 inches annually. Summers are hot and dry, with temperatures often reaching above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters are generally mild, with a typical low temperature below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

Winds can blow consistently at 10 to 15 miles per hour throughout the year; however, hurricane-force winds are rare in San Saba County. Thunderstorms are expected any time of the year, but summer is especially prone to severe weather. In general, it is considered one of America’s best regions for twisters.

Flooding frequently occurs during significant rain events, sometimes closing local roads for weeks. Residents have become complacent about flooding due to its frequency. Tornadoes occasionally occur in San Saba County during late spring through early fall months when conditions are not right.

County Offices

The following County Offices serve the people of San Saba:

The County judge is Judge Byron Theodosis, phone number 325-372-3635, fax 325-372-6484 and is found on 500 E. Wallace, Suite 201 San Saba, TX 76877.

The County Attorney, Randall Robinson (a legal adviser to San Saba County), is located at 500 E. Wallace, Suite 203 San Saba, TX 76877. Phone 325-372-3747, Fax 325-372-5653.

Kim Wells is the County Clerk who is a recorder of documents like deeds, marriage certificates, and a court deponent. His office is 500 E. Wallace, Suite 202 San Saba, TX 76877. Phone 325-372-3614, fax 325-372-6484.

The County Treasurers’ office (Lois VanBeck) is at 500 E. Wallace, Suite 204 San Saba, TX 76877. Phone number 325-372-3337, Fax 325-372-6484.

Assessor and Collector of County Taxes is Theodore Johnson, TX 76877 500 E. Wallace Suite 115. 325-372-5325 and 325-372-5425 are the phone and fax numbers, respectively.

Sheriff David Jenkins occupies the Sheriff’s office at Suite 206 of 500 E. Wallace San Saba, Texas. Phone number and fax are 325-372-5551 and 325-372-3277, respectively.

The Justice of the Peace office is located at 500 E. Wallace, Suite 110 San Saba, TX 76877. Fax (325) 372-4574, Phone (325) 372-5746. Judge Sharon Blossman heads it.