Hays County

Hays County, Texas

Hays County, Texas

Hays County Courthouse in San Marcos, Texas. Photograph by Larry D. Moore.

Hays County occupies an area of 693.5 square miles in south central Texas; the center of the county is at 98°00' west longitude and 30°00' north latitude, twenty-three miles southwest of Austin. The county is located on the border between the Edwards Plateau and the southern Black Prairie region. The Balcones Escarpment divides it into hilly, tree-covered ranch country in the northwest three-quarters and grassy, agricultural plains in the southeast quarter. The principal natural grasses are big bluestem and Indian grass; trees commonly associated with Central Texas-including live oak, cedar, pecan, and mesquite-are indigenous to Hays County. The elevation rises from east to west, varying from 600 to over 1,400 feet. The county's numerous streams generally flow in an easterly direction; the principal waterways are Bear, Cypress, and Onion creeks and the Blanco and San Marcos rivers. The Edwards Aquifer underlies the eastern area, where San Marcos Springs, the second largest in Texas, delivers about 160 cubic feet per second. The soil varies from thin limestone to black, waxy, chocolate, and grey loam. The mean annual rainfall is 33.75 inches. The average maximum temperature in July is 96° F; the average minimum temperature in January is 40°. Hays County has a growing season of 254 days.

Adapted from the official Handbook of Texas, a state encyclopedia developed by the Texas State Historical Association (TSHA). It is an authoritative source of trusted historical records.

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County Map of Texas

Hays County

Highlighted:
  • Hays County

Currently Exists

Yes

Place type

Hays County is classified as a County

Altitude Range

550 ft – 1620 ft

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Hays County by the Numbers

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Population Counts

Hays County
Pop. Year Source
230,191 2019 United States Census Bureau

Civilian Labor Counts

Hays County
People Year Source
118,060 2019 Texas Workforce Commission

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Per Capita Income (USD) Year Source
$43,719 2019 U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis

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Property Values

Hays County
USD ($) Year Source
25,161,553,775 2019 State Property Tax Board

Retail Sales

Hays County
USD ($) Year Source
4,177,985,100 2019 State Comptroller of Public Accounts

Wages

Hays County
USD ($) Year Source
830,475,103 2019 Texas Workforce Commission

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Unemployment Percentage Year Source
7.9 2019 Texas Workforce Commission

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Rainfall (inches) Year Source
35.7 2019 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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Min. (January Average, °F) Max. (July Average, °F) Year Source
38.7 94.3 2019 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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Land Area

Hays County
Area (square miles) Year Source
678.0 2019 United States Census Bureau

Total Area

Hays County
Area (square miles) Year Source
679.9 2019 United States Census Bureau