Austin / Central Texas / Hill Country
Blanco County, Texas
A porch-side guide to the county: the stories that give it a shape, practical local checks, and a few things worth knowing before they surprise you. Every note points to its source.
1 story · 5 practical · 1 good to know
The practical part
Blanco County offices and deadlines
Appraisal district & tax office →
The Comptroller's official directory for Blanco County: who sets your value and who sends the bill.
Homestead exemption →
File Form 50-114 with the appraisal district. It is free. The regular deadline is April 30, and late filing is allowed for up to two years.
Protest your appraisal →
The usual deadline is May 15, or 30 days after your notice arrives, whichever is later.
Estimate a tax bill →
Model a bill from local rates, the homestead exemption, and the appraisal cap.
Start here
A little of what makes this place itself
All 7 local notes
The full county shelf is mixed so stories and useful checks travel together. Use the filters when you need one kind.
Showing all 7 notes.
- Stories & local character History & Culture Blanco County Had Two County Seats — and Two Courthouses Blanco County was created in 1858 with the town of Blanco as its seat, but a contested move in 1891 shifted county government to Johnson City — leaving behind an 1885 limestone courthouse that still stands today.
- Practical Outdoors Blanco State Park Offers Swimming and Camping on the Blanco River Blanco State Park sits on a spring-fed stretch of the Blanco River in the town of Blanco, giving residents and visitors affordable access to swimming, fishing, tubing, and camping.
- Practical History & Culture LBJ National Historical Park Has Sites in and Near Johnson City Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park preserves sites tied to the 36th president across two districts, including his boyhood home in Johnson City and his working ranch along the Pedernales River.
- Good to know Home & Property Flash Floods on the Blanco River Can Rise with Little Warning The Blanco River and its tributaries can rise extremely fast during heavy rain, making flooding one of the most serious natural hazards for anyone buying or living in low-lying areas of Blanco County.
- Practical Money & Taxes Ag and wildlife valuation can lower Blanco land taxes Qualifying Blanco County land can be taxed on productivity value instead of market value. Wildlife management can qualify too, but only when the land meets the rules.
- Practical Home & Property Drilling a Water Well Requires a Permit in Most Cases All wells in Blanco County must be registered with the Blanco-Pedernales Groundwater Conservation District, and any well capable of producing more than 25,000 gallons per day needs a separate operating permit.
- Practical Money & Taxes Homestead Exemption Caps Your Annual Appraisal Increase Once your home qualifies for a residential homestead exemption in Blanco County, state law limits how much the taxable value can rise each year.
Nearby counties