Texas has 254 counties. County government provides services that often extend beyond city limits, and its responsibilities are different from those of municipal government or school districts.
What Texans should know
Each county is governed by a commissioners court made up of the county judge and four county commissioners. Despite its name, the commissioners court primarily handles county administration, budgets and policy rather than serving as an ordinary trial court.
Depending on the county and the office, elected officials may include the sheriff, tax assessor-collector, county clerk and district clerk. Some offices have judicial responsibilities, while others manage records, elections or public services.
Practical next steps
Residents can review county budgets, meeting agendas and public notices through their county website. If a road, drainage or permitting question arises, first determine whether the property is inside city limits and which agency has jurisdiction.
Find official county resources through the Texas Association of Counties, and consult the relevant county government website for current services and meeting schedules.
Editorial note: This is an evergreen explainer, not a report of a new incident. Verify current local requirements with the linked agencies. Illustrative site photography does not depict a specific reported event.
