Population4,580 (July 1, 2025 estimate)
Small Communities with Deep Central Texas Roots
Mills County, TexasMills County centers on Goldthwaite and brings together communities whose histories began before the county’s formal creation. Goldthwaite serves as the county seat and largest city. The Mills County Historical Museum offers one place to begin learning about the area, while the county’s changing boundaries connect it with neighboring parts of Central Texas. Explore the communities individually, allowing local records and public historic places to add detail to the broader landscape.
Mills County at a Glance
Population4,580 (July 1, 2025 estimate)
County SeatGoldthwaite
Largest CityGoldthwaite
EstablishedMarch 15, 1887
ZIP Codes6
Total Area749.8 sq mi (1,942 km 2 )
Major RoutesU.S. Highway 84 U.S. Highway 183 State Highway 16 Loop 15
Area Code325
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
Mills County
Mills County was created in March 1887 from portions of Brown, Comanche, Hamilton and Lampasas counties. It was named for John T. Mills, who served as a justice of the Republic of Texas Supreme Court. Organization followed in September of the same year. Goldthwaite was confirmed as the county seat in an 1889 election. Earlier communities such as Center City and Williams Ranch belong to the area’s history before county government, helping explain why local stories extend beyond the 1887 boundary map.
Goldthwaite provides a starting point for county offices and local heritage. The Texas Historical Commission lists the Mills County Historical Museum on Fisher Street, but its directory record is not a guarantee of current opening hours. Confirm visiting arrangements directly before making a special trip. For a wider county visit, choose individual communities and public destinations in advance, using the county’s history to connect them rather than assuming that every historic property welcomes visitors.
What Shapes Us
Goldthwaite
The county seat is also its largest city. Goldthwaite provides a base for county information and an introduction to the histories of surrounding communities.
Four County Origins
Mills County drew land from four neighboring counties in 1887. That formation explains why earlier records for the same places may belong to different jurisdictions.
Historical Collections
The Mills County Historical Museum appears in the state historical directory. Use the listing to identify the museum, then confirm current visitor arrangements directly.
Community histories give the Central Texas countryside its texture.
My Local Guide
Mills 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 Mills 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
County Treasurer
Treasurer’s office, county finances and public financial information.
Food, housing & family support
Central Texas Food Bank — food assistance
Regional food-bank network serving Mills 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
Goldthwaite 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
Mills County — AgriLife Extension
Find county Extension contacts, local educational programs and 4-H information.
Hospitals
No in-county inpatient hospital was verified in the CMS August 2026 data and the Texas DSHS 2024 inventory reviewed on October 3, 2026. These sources have coverage and date limits; this does not establish that no hospital exists. The related local resource below is not an inpatient hospital. For an immediate emergency call 911.
County & local resources
Family Practice Clinic of Mills County — primary-care clinic
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
Emergency Management
Emergency preparedness, local alerts and response information.
Texas Division of Emergency Management — Region 8 serving Mills 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 Mills 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
No qualifying named local trail with a verified route or access information was verified for Mills 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.
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
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
Justice of the Peace
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Mills County — County Court (County Constitutional Court)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Mills County — 35th District Court (District)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Mills County — Countywide (Justice of the Peace)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Mills County — County Clerk Office (County Clerk Office)
County clerk services, public records and office information.
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
Mills 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
Hill Country Transit District – The HOP
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
Mills County veterans service contact — (325) 451-5185
Veterans services, benefits information and support resources.
Employment
Regional employment assistance serving county residents. Check appointment, mobile-service and eligibility details with the provider.
County & local resources
Workforce Solutions of Central Texas — serves Mills County
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.
Goldthwaite is the county seat of Mills County, Texas.
The county overview lists Goldthwaite as its largest community.
The total area is 749.8 sq mi (1,942 km 2 ), including land and water.
Use the Mills County government website for county offices and public information.
The Texas Historical Commission lists it on Fisher Street in Goldthwaite. Confirm current visiting arrangements before traveling. Official information.
The courthouse’s National Register documentation includes the election that confirmed Goldthwaite as the county seat. Official information.
For office information, start with Mills County — Tax Assessor-Collector. Check that page for current office details before a visit.
The county links residents to Mills County — County Clerk. Check that page for current office details before a visit.
Use the county’s page for Mills County — District Clerk. Check that page for current office details before a visit.
For departmental information, use Mills County — Sheriff. Check that page for current office details before a visit.
Start with the county’s Mills County — Emergency Management. Check that page for current office details before a visit.
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
- Goldthwaite Swimming Pool — Plan a summer swim; check seasonal hours and admission.
- Jennie Trent Dew Library Story Time — Ask the library for its current children’s story-time schedule.
- Mills County Historical Museum — Explore local history with the family; check hours and admission.
Restaurants
- Bootleg Chicken — Find a meal on Commercial Drive in Goldthwaite.
- La Hacienda de Jalisco #2 — Enjoy Mexican dining on Fisher Street.
- Mary’s Tacos & Burgers — Stop for tacos or burgers south of Goldthwaite on Highway 183.
Shopping & Retail
- Amanda’s Gift Shop & Antiques — Browse gifts and antiques on Fisher Street.
- Live Oak Garden Center & Gifts — Explore garden supplies and gifts on Highway 84 West.
- Pecans.com — Shop pecan products on West Front Street.
Clothing & Boutiques
- Switch Salon, Spa & Boutique — Browse women’s fashion and accessories on Fourth Street.
- Joyful Trading Co. — Visit the Goldthwaite shop for apparel and shoes.
- Southside Mercantile — Explore apparel and gifts at the Fifth Street store.
Outdoor Fun
- Goldthwaite Municipal Golf Course — Book a round south of town; check current fees and availability.
- Texas Botanical Gardens — Explore native plants and regional history; check admission and hours.
- Goldthwaite City Park — Enjoy an outdoor break in the municipal park.
Free Things To Do
- Jennie Trent Dew Library Reading — Spend time reading at the public library; borrowing has membership requirements.
- Goldthwaite City Park Day Visit — Relax in the public park; pool admission is separate.
- Goldthwaite Welcome Center — Browse visitor information and plan a self-guided town visit.
Every place has a story.Find Your Next Favorite.