Johnson County

Johnson County Offices

Johnson County Town List

Johnson County, Texas, is named after Middleton Johnson, a politician, and ranger in Texas. He took part in the Battle of San Jacinto, which led to Texas’ independence from Mexico. The battle took place on April 21st, 1836, near present-day Houston, TX. In honor of his contribution to the cause for freedom, he has been given the name “The Father Of Texas.” 

The county seat is Cleburne at South Dallas and houses county offices and the courthouse. Continue reading for more information about this county!   

Population and size  

According to the 2019 U.S Census, Johnson County has an estimated population of 175,817. This puts it among the most populated counties. It also makes it one of the largest counties by area in the state. The area size is 724.69 square miles or 1,906 km2.  

Whites represent 91.2%, Black people are 0.7%, Asians are 2.1%, Hispanic or Latino stand at 3.4%, American Indians are 0.3%, Pacific Islanders are 0.3%, and 0.6% of two or more races. 

English is spoken as a first language by 99.9% of residents, while Spanish is spoken as a mother tongue by 0.1%. 

Housing units are 63,667, with 73% of occupied houses being owner-occupied. There were 6,867 housing units vacant in 2018. 

History of Johnson County 

In 1786, James Fannin became the first settler in what would become known as Johnson County. His land grant included all the current city limits of Cleburne. By 1800, there were only two settlements within the boundaries of modern-day Johnson County: Fort Bend and Old Liberty.   

These early settlers had no idea that their settlement would grow into such a large town. However, they knew that the region’s abundant natural resources made it ideal for farming.  

As time went on, many other families moved into the area, including those with ties to the Republic of Texas. Many of these people settled along the banks of Clear Creek, where the community of New Hope developed.  

After the Civil War ended, the citizens decided to incorporate the small townships surrounding Clear Creek into a single municipality. On March 3rd, 1870, the new town officially incorporated itself under the name of Cleburne.  

Over the next few years, the town grew rapidly due to its location between Galveston Bay and the Gulf Coast. During World War II, the U.S. government built Camp Bowie just outside of Cleburne. Today, the camp serves as home to several military bases but remains largely unused. 

Economy 

Johnson is primarily based on agriculture. Cotton production dominates the local economy, followed closely by cattle ranching. Other crops in the county are corn, soybeans, wheat, oats, sorghum, hay, peanuts, cottonseed oil, rice, flaxseed, and various grasses. 

The massive land with improved technology boosts the agribusiness industry. The agricultural sector provides employment opportunities for thousands of workers.   

Cotton production is significant because it generates high revenue for the county. For example, according to BLS data, the total value of cotton produced in 2017 amounted to nearly 1 billion dollars. That same year, the top five producers accounted for almost 70% of the crop’s total value.  

Agriculture is not the only source of income for farmers. In fact, some of them have diversified their business interests into real estate development. They build homes and commercial buildings to attract more customers.  

Oil and gas exploration has also been an increasingly popular activity in recent decades. This type of investment requires specialized knowledge and equipment. It can be very lucrative if done correctly.  

As mentioned earlier, the vast majority of the population lives near Clear Creek. Therefore, most of the economic activities take place here. There are numerous shopping centers, restaurants, hotels, schools, churches, parks, and recreational facilities. 

Towns and cities 

The county has 11 major cities. These include; 

• Cleburne- the county seat 
• Joshua- a suburb of Houston 
• Alvarado- a suburb of San Antonio 
• Godley- a suburb of Dallas/Fort Worth 
• Grandview- a suburb of Austin 
• Rio Vista- a suburb of Corpus Christi 

Financial transparency 

The county believes in transparency in financial matters. All public records are accessible online through the website. You will find information about property taxes, budgets, contracts, permits, etc.  

You may request any document you need from the county clerk or treasurer. If you do so, specify which documents you want. Otherwise, your request might get lost, among others. You should keep in mind that this site does not provide legal advice.  

Any questions regarding law enforcement issues must be directed to the agency. Also, please note that the content provided on this website is solely intended for informational purposes. 

County Offices 

County offices provide elections, tax collection, the court system, health care, social security administration, road maintenance, fire protection, education, etc.  

Each office is headed by a commissioner who oversees operations. Commissioners serve four-year terms. 

Here are the essential offices and how to contact them.  

County Judge office– The office handles legal cases involving criminal charges against individuals. It is under Honorable Roger Harmon. Contact: (817) 556-6360 or [email protected] 

The Auditor Office: It handles accounting functions, including audits of all governmental entities within Johnson County. It is under Steven Watson. Contact: 817-556-6305 or auditor@johntexas. 

The County Attorney is Honorable Bill Moore. His office handles civil litigation, such as lawsuits filed against government agencies. He provides legal counsel to commissioners, judges, and other elected officials. His phone number is (817) 556-6330. 

The County Clerk Office: It is under Becky Ivey. She manages the election process, maintains vital statistics, keeps track of births, deaths, marriages, divorces, and adoptions. Contact the office at 817-556-6323. 

The County Treasurer’s office: It is under Honorable Kathy Blackwell. She is reachable through (817) 556-6340 or [email protected]. 

Finally, the office of the Sheriff takes care of citizens’ security. It is under Adam King. You can contact him at +1 817-556-6058. 

Conclusion 

In summary, Johnson County is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a quiet life with plenty of opportunities. However, there’s no denying that living in rural areas comes with its own set of challenges. For example, you’ll have to deal with fewer jobs than those found in urban centers.   

But don’t let that discourage you! There are many ways to make money while still enjoying nature. And even though you won’t see much action on weekends, you can always visit nearby cities like Austin or San Antonio.