Riesel, Texas
Riesel is a small farming city in eastern McLennan County, about 13 miles east of Waco in the Blackland Prairie country of Central Texas. It sits amid the fertile dark soils of the prairie, an area long given over to cotton, grain, and cattle. The surrounding land is flat to gently rolling farmland, and the town serves as a market and school center for the rural community around it.
Property here runs through the McLennan Central Appraisal District and the county tax office — the homestead exemption, the appraisal cap, protests, and any MUD, PID, or special districts all sit at the parcel level. The McLennan County notes below cover the practical details, with the official county directory for the appraisal district and tax office.
McLennan County notes
What to know around Riesel
Vehicle Registration
No Annual Safety Inspection Required to Register Your Car
As of January 1, 2025, McLennan County drivers no longer need a safety inspection to renew vehicle registration, but a small replacement fee applies.
Flood Zones
Brazos River Flooding Is a Real Risk Here
The Brazos River and Bosque River tributaries cross McLennan County, putting many properties in or near FEMA flood zones.
Groundwater
Groundwater Comes From the Trinity Aquifer — With Limits
The Trinity Aquifer underlies McLennan County, but heavy pumping has caused significant water level declines along the I-35 corridor.
Fishing
Lake Waco Offers Year-Round Fishing Access
Lake Waco is an 8,465-acre reservoir with multiple public boat ramps managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers.
Paddling
Two Paddling Trails Run Through Downtown Waco
The Bosque Bluffs and Brazos Bridges paddling trails offer beginner-friendly canoe and kayak routes through the heart of Waco.
Hunting
White-Tailed Deer and Turkey Hunting in McLennan County
McLennan County falls in TPWD's North Zone for deer and has both fall and spring turkey seasons, with antler restrictions in place.
Nearby
Places near Riesel
Nearby counties
Local notes for nearby counties
Falls County
6 local notes · Austin / Central Texas / Hill Country
Limestone County
7 local notes · Austin / Central Texas / Hill Country
Hill County
12 local notes · DFW / North Texas
Robertson County
6 local notes · Austin / Central Texas / Hill Country
Bell County
38 local notes · Austin / Central Texas / Hill Country
Milam County
5 local notes · Austin / Central Texas / Hill Country
Next steps for Riesel
Estimate property tax
Model school and local rates, the homestead exemption, and the appraisal cap.
Open estimator ->McLennan County notes
Property tax, land, outdoors, vehicles, rules, and history for the county.
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