Population240,867 (July 1, 2025 estimate)
Courthouse Towns at the Metroplex’s Southern Edge
Ellis County, TexasEllis County combines the community of Waxahachie with other towns and landscapes along the southern side of the Dallas–Fort Worth region. Waxahachie is the county seat and a natural starting point for learning about local history. The Ellis County Museum, across from the courthouse, offers a close look at the area’s stories. From there, visitors can begin connecting the county’s historic civic center with the surrounding communities and the wider regional map.
Ellis County at a Glance
Population240,867 (July 1, 2025 estimate)
County SeatWaxahachie
Largest CityWaxahachie
Established1849 (organized 1850)
ZIP Codes21
Total Area952 sq mi (2,470 km 2 )
Major RoutesInterstate 35E Interstate 45 I-45 BL (Ferris) I-45 BL (Palmer) I-45 BL (Ennis) U.S. Route 67 U.S. 77 U.S. 287 State Highway 34 State Highway 342 State Highway 360 Loop 561 Spur 73 Spur 394 Spur 437 Spur 469
Area Code214 / 254 / 469 / 945 / 972
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
Ellis County
Ellis County was created in 1849 and organized in 1850. It was named for Richard Ellis, who presided over the convention that produced the Texas Declaration of Independence. Waxahachie became the county seat, and its downtown continues to provide a setting for learning about the county’s past. The Ellis County Museum occupies an 1889 building across from the courthouse, linking its historical collections with the architecture and civic geography visitors encounter on the surrounding streets.
Start with the Ellis County Museum and the courthouse area to get oriented in Waxahachie. The city’s visitor information also identifies historic sites and cultural destinations, allowing a day to develop around nearby stops. Lake Waxahachie is another feature of the county landscape, south of town. If you include the lake, check the exact public facility you intend to use rather than assuming that every shoreline location provides visitor access.
What Shapes Us
A Republic Connection
The county’s name honors Richard Ellis, president of the convention behind the Texas Declaration of Independence. The name links local geography with a wider state history.
Museum by the Courthouse
The Ellis County Museum occupies an 1889 downtown building across from the courthouse. Its collections provide context for a visit to the county seat.
Local Orientation
Waxahachie is a useful starting point, but county and city services have different responsibilities. Use the source for the particular municipality or facility you need.
Historic streets and growing communities meet in everyday life.
My Local Guide
Ellis County
Our County. Our Stories.
The Texas Tribune — Statewide
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.
Read the Story Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
News & resources for Ellis 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
Democrat Jon Rosenthal outraises Bo French in Railroad Commission race in latest report
A big chunk of Rosenthal’s haul came after French’s racist social media comments following a UT-Austin football game…
The Texas Tribune — Statewide • Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
Greg Abbott outraised Gina Hinojosa but burned through much of his campaign cash in Texas governor’s race
Abbott outspent Hinojosa 6-to-1 from July to late September, but the governor’s narrow polling lead was largely unchanged…
The Texas Tribune — Statewide • Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
Law enforcement Democrat, GOP Air Force vet upend partisan script in race for new San Antonio U.S. House district
The 35th Congressional District was redrawn to elect a Republican, but Latino voters’ brewing leftward shift has put…
The Texas Tribune — Statewide • Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
These are the most competitive November races up and down Texas’ midterm ballot
Texas has an unusually large slate of competitive races for the state Legislature and U.S. House this year.…
The Texas Tribune — Statewide • Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
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
Ellis County government
Public offices, departments, records and resident services.
Ellis County Tax Office — vehicle titles and registration
Tax office information, payments and available services.
Food, housing & family support
North Texas Food Bank — food assistance
Regional food-bank network serving Ellis County. Find a nearby pantry or distribution and confirm its schedule before visiting.
North 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
Midlothian ISD
School and district information, contacts and educational resources.
Waxahachie 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
Ellis County — AgriLife Extension
Find county Extension contacts, local educational programs and 4-H information.
Hospitals
County & local resources
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center- Waxahachie — Acute Care Hospitals
Health services and information about finding local assistance.
Ennis Regional Medical Center — Acute Care Hospitals
Health services and information about finding local assistance.
Methodist Midlothian Medical Center — Acute Care 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
Call 911 for an immediate emergency. Use the directory entry to locate the sheriff’s office, and confirm current non-emergency contact details with the county.
County & local resources
Ellis County Sheriff — state directory entry
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 2 serving Ellis 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
No qualifying TPWD state park open for ordinary public visits was verified for Ellis County in the reviewed sources as of October 3, 2026. This is a limitation of this guide’s verified list, not a statement that none exists. Other sourced outdoor options appear in the local directory below.
Trails
Selected local walking, hiking, cycling or paddling options. Check the linked operator or local tourism information for access, fees and current conditions.
County & local resources
Waxahachie Creek Hike & Bike Trail
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
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
Nicholas P Sims Library & Lyceum
Library locations, collections and public services.
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
Ellis County — County Court (County Constitutional Court)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Ellis County — 378th District Court (District)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Ellis County — 40th District Court (District)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Ellis County — 443rd District Court (District)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Ellis County — 504th District Court (District)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Ellis County — County Court at Law No. 1 (County Court at Law)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Ellis County — County Court at Law No. 2 (County Court at Law)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Ellis County — County Court at Law No. 3 (County Court at Law)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Ellis County — Precinct 1 Place 1 (Justice of the Peace)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Ellis County — Precinct 2 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
Ellis 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.
County & local resources
Dallas -Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART)
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
Ellis County veterans service contact — (972) 825-5099
Veterans services, benefits information and support resources.
Employment
County & local resources
Workforce Solutions North Central Texas — 1712 W 287 BUSINESS
, WAXAHACHIE, 75165
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.
Waxahachie is the county seat of Ellis County, Texas.
The county overview lists Waxahachie as its largest community.
The total area is 952 sq mi (2,470 km 2 ), including land and water.
Use the Ellis County government website for county offices and public information.
The Ellis County Museum is downtown across from the courthouse. See the county’s museum information.
The city’s visitor site lists museums, historic districts and other destinations. Explore the historic sites and museums directory.
Doves Nest Restaurant is one option. A Waxahachie dining stop.
Gingerbread Antiques is one option. Browse antiques.
Colie’s Boutique is one option. Explore a local boutique.
Getzendaner Memorial Park is one option. Enjoy a park outing.
Ellis County Museum is one option. Explore local history with free admission.
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
- Urban Air — Check indoor activities and admission.
- Hilltop Lanes — Plan a bowling outing.
- Railyard Park splash pad — Check seasonal splash-pad operation.
Restaurants
- Doves Nest Restaurant — A Waxahachie dining stop.
- College Street Pub — Explore a local pub dining option.
- Campuzano Waxahachie — A local restaurant option.
Shopping & Retail
- Gingerbread Antiques — Browse antiques.
- Crafty Scrapper — Explore craft supplies.
- Waxahachie Coins & Comics — Browse collectibles and comics.
Clothing & Boutiques
- Colie’s Boutique — Explore a local boutique.
- The Velvet Angel Boutique — Browse boutique fashions.
- Vaqueras Boutique — Explore a local boutique.
Outdoor Fun
- Getzendaner Memorial Park — Enjoy a park outing.
- Waxahachie Creek Hike & Bike Trail — Walk or cycle a local trail.
- Brown-Singleton Park — Explore city green space.
Free Things To Do
- Ellis County Museum — Explore local history with free admission.
- Butterfly mural by Calina Mishay Johnson — View outdoor public art.
- Crape Myrtle mural by Calina Mishay Johnson — See a public mural celebrating local blooms.
Every place has a story.Find Your Next Favorite.