Population55,150 (July 1, 2025 estimate)
Creekside Trails and Historic Town Squares
Caldwell County, TexasCaldwell County brings together Lockhart, Luling and smaller communities along the waterways of Central Texas. Lockhart serves as the county seat, while the San Marcos River and Plum Creek help explain the area’s early settlement pattern. A visit can pair time in town with the wooded trails of Lockhart State Park. Begin with the community that interests you, then leave room for the surrounding countryside and the county’s distinct local histories.
Caldwell County at a Glance
Population55,150 (July 1, 2025 estimate)
County SeatLockhart
Largest CityLockhart
Established1848
ZIP Codes15
Total Area546.452 sq mi (1,415.30 km 2 )
Major RoutesInterstate 10 U.S. Highway 90 U.S. Highway 183 State Highway 21 State Highway 80 State Highway 130 State Highway 142 State Highway 304
Area Code512 / 737 / 830
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
Discover the County
Caldwell County
Caldwell County was formed in March 1848 from parts of Bastrop and Gonzales counties. Residents had proposed the name Plum Creek County, but the legislature chose Caldwell, and Lockhart became the county seat. Earlier settlement followed the San Marcos River and Plum Creek, with communities growing near these dependable waterways. This relationship between water, travel and settlement provides a useful starting point for understanding the county’s nineteenth-century development and the locations of its early towns.
Lockhart State Park offers short, interconnected trails, a campground and a nine-hole golf course. Its wooded setting makes a useful complement to time in the county seat. Farther south, Luling and the communities along the San Marcos River offer other starting points for exploring the county. Choose a specific park or town before planning your route, and use the park’s official alerts and reservation information when arranging an outdoor visit.
What Shapes Us
Waterway Beginnings
Early grants and settlements clustered along the San Marcos River and Plum Creek. These waterways help explain the geography of the county’s older communities.
Lockhart Outdoors
Lockhart State Park combines wooded trails with camping and a nine-hole golf course. Its official visitor guide supplies current access details and reservation information.
Local Towns
Lockhart and Luling anchor different parts of the county. Smaller communities add further layers to a visit built around local history and the countryside.
Town squares and creekside paths invite a closer look.
My Local Guide
Caldwell County
Our County. Our Stories.
The Texas Tribune — Statewide
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News & resources for Caldwell County
Local reporting when available, plus statewide Texas news and official resources.
TribCast: Are Texas’ voter systems ready for a contentious election?
Votebeat's Natalia Contreras joins TribCast to explain the state of Texas’ voter rolls one month before election day.
The Texas Tribune — Statewide • Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
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Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Useful connections for everyday life
Find public information and services through the county and relevant service providers.
Government
County & local resources
County Treasurer
Treasurer’s office, county finances and public financial information.
Elections Office & Voter Registration
Official voter, election and polling-place information.
Food, housing & family support
Central Texas Food Bank — food assistance
Regional food-bank network serving Caldwell County. Find a nearby pantry or distribution and confirm its schedule before visiting.
Central Texas Food Bank — food assistance — details and contacts
2-1-1 Texas — local assistance
Search community assistance by location and type of need, including food, housing and family support.
Texas HHS — local family support
Search family-support programs and local services for parents and caregivers.
Schools
County & local resources
Prairie Lea ISD
School and district information, contacts and educational resources.
Child care & learning
Texas Child Care Connection — scholarships
Review child-care scholarship information and the application process for families who need care while working or attending education or training.
Texas Child Care Connection — scholarships — details and contacts
Caldwell County — AgriLife Extension
Find county Extension contacts, local educational programs and 4-H information.
Hospitals
County & local resources
Ascension Seton Edgar B Davis — Critical Access Hospitals
Health services and information about finding local assistance.
Health, aging & caregiver support
Texas WIC — office locator
Find a nearby WIC office and contact it about appointments, nutrition support and eligibility.
Aging and Disability Resource Centers
Find the regional center that helps older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers explore services and support.
Aging and Disability Resource Centers — details and contacts
Local mental and behavioral health authorities
Use the Texas HHS directory to find the authority serving your county and its contact information.
Local mental and behavioral health authorities — details and contacts
Public Safety
County & local resources
Sheriff
Sheriff’s office information, public safety resources and non-emergency contacts.
Emergency Services
For an immediate emergency, call 911. These links provide emergency planning, coordination and recovery information.
County & local resources
Texas Division of Emergency Management — Region 8 serving Caldwell County
Emergency preparedness, local alerts and response information.
Prepare before an emergency
Texas Ready — emergency planning materials
Download emergency plans, supply checklists and preparedness materials in English and Spanish.
Texas Ready — emergency planning materials — details and contacts
State Parks
County & local resources
Lockhart State Park
Park locations, visitor information and current access details.
Trails
Texas resources
Lockhart State Park — Download the Trails Map | PDF
Outdoor recreation, routes and visitor planning information.
Utilities
Water utilities listed for the county. Confirm the provider for your specific address; service territories vary within county lines.
County & local resources
CAMINO REAL UTILITY COMPANY
Utility services, consumer information and provider contacts.
Help with household costs
Help for Texans — housing and utility assistance
Find local providers for utility bills, housing, weatherization and accessibility repairs. Providers handle applications; availability and eligibility vary.
Help for Texans — housing and utility assistance — details and contacts
Libraries
County & local resources
Accessible reading & library services
Texas Talking Book Program
Learn about accessible library services for qualifying Texans with visual, physical or reading disabilities.
Courts
Use the named county court links or search the official Texas courts directory by county and court name. Confirm the hearing or filing location directly; a regional court may serve more than one county.
County & local resources
Caldwell County — County Court (County Constitutional Court)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Caldwell County — 207th District Court (District)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Caldwell County — 22nd District Court (District)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Caldwell County — 421st District Court (District)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Caldwell County — County Court at Law (County Court at Law)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Caldwell County — Precinct 1 Place 1 (Justice of the Peace)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Caldwell County — Precinct 2 Place 1 (Justice of the Peace)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Caldwell County — Precinct 3 Place 1 (Justice of the Peace)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Find legal assistance
TexasLawHelp — legal help directory
Search legal-aid organizations by counties covered and area of legal help. Each organization determines service availability and eligibility.
DMV
For local vehicle titles and registration, start with the county tax office. Texas DPS handles driver licenses.
County & local resources
Caldwell County Tax Office
Tax office information, payments and available services.
Texas resources
Buying or selling a vehicle
Vehicle registration, licensing and office information.
Apply for a Texas driver license
Vehicle registration, licensing and office information.
Driver license appointments
Vehicle registration, licensing and office information.
Transportation
These agencies or county departments serve local transportation needs. Check routes, service boundaries, eligibility and advance booking with the provider.
Texas resources
Capital Area Rural Transportation System
Transportation services, routes and travel information.
Postal Services
Local postal facilities listed in USPS property records. Confirm retail hours, available services and temporary closures with USPS before visiting.
County & local resources
National resources
USPS — confirm local hours and services
Postal locations, mailing services and address information.
Veterans
County & local resources
Caldwell County veterans service contact — (512) 398-6492
Veterans services, benefits information and support resources.
Employment
County & local resources
Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area — 1711 S COLORADO ST. UNIT G
, LOCKHART, 78644
Employment opportunities, job-search assistance and workforce services.
Job search & employment support
Workforce Solutions — find an office
Find nearby workforce offices for job-search, training and employer services.
Vocational rehabilitation — office lookup
Find a vocational rehabilitation office to discuss employment services for people with disabilities.
Vocational rehabilitation — office lookup — details and contacts
A little local knowledge goes a long way
Find practical information before you visit or make a move.
Helpful Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Start with the essentials, then follow the source links for more detail.
Lockhart is the county seat of Caldwell County, Texas.
The county overview lists Lockhart as its largest community.
The total area is 546.452 sq mi (1,415.30 km 2 ), including land and water.
Use the Caldwell County government website for county offices and public information.
Lockhart State Park has short, interconnected trails. See the state park visitor guide for details.
Start with Dr. Eugene Clark Library and its current activity calendar. See the library website for details.
The city maps the Lockhart Springs Walkway, a concrete path network connecting neighborhoods, schools and parks. See Lockhart Parks and Recreation for details.
The directory below includes The Original Black’s Barbecue, Kreuz Market and Terry Black’s Barbecue. Each entry links to the restaurant’s own site for current menus and visiting information.
Colossus Books is a downtown used bookshop that shares space with Golden Hour. See Colossus Books for details.
First Fridays, Courthouse Nights and seasonal Movies in the Park are listed as free activities. Confirm current dates before traveling. See the city’s activity overview for details.
Joann’s Creations lists custom clothing, hats and accessories among its offerings. See Joann’s Creations for details.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Find Something Fun
Make time for a local discoveryPlan your day around places and experiences in the county.
Kids’ Fun
- Dr. Eugene Clark Library — Explore the library in Lockhart and check its current calendar for children’s activities.
- Lockhart State Park — Plan a family outing with short trails and a playground; park admission and some activities carry fees.
- Movies in the Park — Seasonal outdoor film screenings in Lockhart. Check the current city schedule before planning an evening visit.
Restaurants
- The Original Black’s Barbecue — Lockhart barbecue restaurant serving smoked meats, sausage and sides.
- Kreuz Market — A Lockhart barbecue stop with a menu and visitor information on its own website.
- Terry Black’s Barbecue — The Lockhart location of Terry Black’s Barbecue; use the location page for current details.
Shopping & Retail
- The Attic — Art, antiques, jewelry and furniture in downtown Lockhart.
- Colossus Books — A locally owned used bookshop in downtown Lockhart with a particular interest in poetry.
- Commerce Gallery — Contemporary art and rotating exhibitions on Lockhart’s historic square.
Clothing & Boutiques
- Fringe House Vintage Goods — Vintage apparel and style selections at 111 East San Antonio Street in Lockhart.
- Golden Hour — Contemporary and pre-owned apparel in the Lockhart retail space shared with Colossus Books; linked information is from its shop partner.
- Joann’s Creations — A Luling boutique offering custom apparel, accessories and personalized gifts.
Outdoor Fun
- Lockhart State Park — Wooded trails, camping and a nine-hole golf course; consult current alerts and reservations.
- Lockhart Springs Walkway — A concrete path network connecting parks, schools and neighborhoods. The city provides a route map.
- Lockhart City Pool and Splash Pads — A seasonal swimming destination at City Park. Confirm operating dates and admission before visiting.
Free Things To Do
- First Fridays in downtown Lockhart — Free music and art pop-ups are described by the city’s economic development office. Individual purchases are extra; check the current lineup.
- Courthouse Nights — Seasonal free live music on the courthouse square. The city describes an April–August season; confirm the next announced performance.
- Movies in the Park — Free seasonal outdoor screenings. Check the current program for the film, location and weather changes.
Every place has a story.Find Your Next Favorite.