Population14,491 (July 1, 2025 estimate)
Small Towns Along the Rolling Divide
Callahan County, TexasCallahan County sits in the Abilene region, where Baird, Clyde, Cross Plains and Putnam give the county several distinct community centers. Baird is the county seat, and Clyde is its largest city. Beyond the towns, the Callahan Divide adds elevation and shape to the landscape. Getting to know the county means connecting these individual places with the wider countryside, rather than expecting one central destination to tell the whole story.
Callahan County at a Glance
Population14,491 (July 1, 2025 estimate)
County SeatBaird
Largest CityClyde
Established1858 (organized 1877)
ZIP Codes9
Total Area901.3 sq mi (2,334 km 2 )
Major RoutesInterstate 20 I-20 BL (Baird) U.S. Highway 283 State Highway 36 State Highway 206 State Highway 279 State Highway 351
Area Code254 / 325
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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
Callahan County
The county was created in 1858 and organized in 1877, a distinction that accounts for the two dates found in local reference materials. It was named for James Hughes Callahan, a soldier associated with the Texas Revolution. Baird became the county seat, while other communities developed their own roles within the surrounding region. The county’s inclusion in the Abilene metropolitan area provides a modern connection to a larger regional center beyond its own towns and boundaries.
The Callahan Divide extends through Taylor and Callahan counties, giving parts of the surrounding landscape a noticeably elevated profile. Baird, Clyde, Cross Plains and Putnam are useful names to keep in view when planning a county visit. Group stops by community and allow for the travel between them. For public services, begin with the county offices in Baird and consult the relevant city separately when your question concerns a municipal service.
What Shapes Us
Created and Organized
The dates 1858 and 1877 describe different stages in the county’s establishment. Keeping both in view makes local histories and reference entries easier to compare.
The Callahan Divide
This range of hills crosses Taylor and Callahan counties. Its elevated terrain is a distinctive geographic feature within the wider landscape of the Abilene region.
Community Connections
Baird is the county seat, while Clyde is the largest city. Cross Plains and Putnam add other community centers to the county’s local map.
Several hometowns share the country beneath wide open skies.
My Local Guide
Callahan 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 Callahan 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.
County Tax Assessor/Collector
Tax office information, payments and available services.
Food, housing & family support
Food Bank of West Central Texas — food assistance
Regional food-bank network serving Callahan County. Find a nearby pantry or distribution and confirm its schedule before visiting.
Food Bank of West Central Texas — 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
Cross Plains 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
Callahan 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
ResourceCare Clyde and Cross Plains — community clinics
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 1 serving Callahan 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 Callahan 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 Callahan 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.
District Court Judge
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Callahan County — County Court (County Constitutional Court)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Callahan County — 42nd District Court (District)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Callahan County — Precinct 1 Place 1 (Justice of the Peace)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Callahan County — Precinct 3 Place 1 (Justice of the Peace)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Callahan County — Precinct 4 Place 1 (Justice of the Peace)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Callahan 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
Callahan 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
Central Texas Rural Transit
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
Callahan County veterans service contact — (325) 854-5874
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 West Central Texas — serves Callahan 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.
Baird is the county seat of Callahan County, Texas.
The county overview lists Clyde as its largest community.
The total area is 901.3 sq mi (2,334 km 2 ), including land and water.
Use the Callahan County government website for county offices and public information.
Callahan County was created in 1858 and organized in 1877. These dates refer to separate stages in establishing county government.
It is a range of hills extending through Taylor and Callahan counties. The elevated terrain is a distinctive part of the region’s geography.
For office information, start with Callahan County — County Tax Assessor/Collector. Check that page for current office details before a visit.
The county links residents to Callahan County — County Clerk. Check that page for current office details before a visit.
Use the county’s page for Callahan County — District Clerk. Check that page for current office details before a visit.
For departmental information, use Callahan County — Sheriff. Check that page for current office details before a visit.
Use the official Callahan County — Commissioners Court. 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
- Hanner Sports Complex Splash Pad and Playground — Plan outdoor family play; check seasonal operation and event access.
- T&P Depot Transportation Museum — Explore Baird’s railroad heritage; confirm visiting hours and admission.
- Clyde Public Library Family Visit — Browse recreational reading together; check borrowing eligibility.
Restaurants
- Darner’s Pizza Co. — Find pizza on Market Street in Baird.
- Circa 1880 Restaurant & Co. — Plan a meal in downtown Baird.
- Robertson’s Hams — Stop at Exit 307 for cured meats.
Shopping & Retail
- Antique Memories — Browse antiques on Market Street; confirm opening days.
- On The Birdwalk Antiques — Explore antique finds in downtown Baird.
- Needful Things — Browse gifts and antiques on Market Street.
Clothing & Boutiques
- Lil’ Red Wagon Boutique — Explore this Clyde boutique’s scheduled online live sales.
- Vintage Vibe West — Visit the Clyde boutique; confirm current opening hours.
- Goodwill Clyde — Browse secondhand apparel on South Access Road; inventory varies.
Outdoor Fun
- Clyde Lake Park — Check current lake and ramp access before traveling; conditions and fees apply.
- Hanner Sports Complex Courts — Explore court sports; check reservations, fees and availability.
- Clyde City Park — Spend time outdoors at the public park on Stephens Street.
Free Things To Do
- Clyde City Park Day Visit — Enjoy a simple outing in the public city park.
- Clyde Public Library Reading — Read at the library; digital borrowing requires an eligible library card.
- Callahan County Courthouse Exterior — View the historic courthouse from public sidewalks in Baird.
Every place has a story.Find Your Next Favorite.