Population53,337 (July 1, 2025 estimate)
Pine Woods with Deep Cultural Roots
Cherokee County, TexasCherokee County combines East Texas communities with a history that reaches far beyond the county’s nineteenth-century boundaries. Rusk serves as the county seat, and Jacksonville is its largest city. Near Alto, Caddo Mounds State Historic Site introduces visitors to an ancestral Caddo village and ceremonial center. These different places offer useful starting points for a visit that connects town life, the Piney Woods landscape and the region’s enduring Indigenous heritage.
Cherokee County at a Glance
Population53,337 (July 1, 2025 estimate)
County SeatRusk
Largest CityJacksonville
EstablishedJuly 13, 1846
ZIP Codes11
Total Area1,062 sq mi (2,750 km 2 )
Major RoutesU.S. Highway 69 U.S. Highway 79 U.S. Highway 84 U.S. Highway 175 State Highway 21 State Highway 110 State Highway 135 State Highway 204 State Highway 294 Loop 62 Loop 142 Loop 456
Area Code430 / 903 / 936
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
Cherokee County
Created in 1846, Cherokee County takes its name from the Cherokee people, who lived in the area before their forced expulsion in 1839. The region’s Indigenous history extends further back, including the ancestral Caddo community represented at Caddo Mounds near Alto. Rusk became the county seat, and Jacksonville grew into its largest city. Understanding these separate histories helps visitors distinguish the modern county’s administrative beginnings from the much longer human history of the surrounding landscape.
Begin a visit to Caddo Mounds with its exhibits and interpretive information, then explore the site’s outdoor trail as conditions allow. The earthen mounds remain sacred to Caddo people, making the site a place for attentive learning as well as sightseeing. Rusk, Jacksonville and Alto provide different bases for exploring the county. Check the historic site’s current visitor information and group arrangements before building a day around a particular program.
What Shapes Us
Caddo Heritage
Caddo Mounds preserves an ancestral village and ceremonial center near Alto. Its exhibits and programs connect the surviving landscape with Caddo history and culture.
Two Community Centers
Rusk and Jacksonville have different roles in county life: one is the county seat, while the other is its largest city and a regional center.
Learn on Site
The historic site combines a visitor center with an outdoor interpretive trail. Plan time for both to understand the relationship between the mounds and landscape.
Wooded landscapes hold stories across many generations of community.
My Local Guide
Cherokee 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 Cherokee 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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The Texas Tribune — Statewide • Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
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The Texas Tribune — Statewide • Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
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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
Food, housing & family support
East Texas Food Bank — food assistance
Regional food-bank network serving Cherokee County. Find a nearby pantry or distribution and confirm its schedule before visiting.
East 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
Jacksonville ISD
School and district information, contacts and educational resources.
New Summerfield 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
Cherokee County — AgriLife Extension
Find county Extension contacts, local educational programs and 4-H information.
Hospitals
County & local resources
Christus Mother Frances Hospital- Jacksonville — Critical Access Hospitals
Health services and information about finding local assistance.
Ut Health East Texas Jacksonville Hospital — Acute Care Hospitals
Health services and information about finding local assistance.
Rusk State Hosp — Psychiatric
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
Cherokee 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 3 serving Cherokee 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 Cherokee 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
Utilities
Water utilities listed for the county. Confirm the provider for your specific address; service territories vary within county lines.
County & local resources
CITY OF NEW SUMMERFIELD
Utility services, consumer information and provider contacts.
CUNEY MUNICIPAL WATER
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
Cherokee County — County Court (County Constitutional Court)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Cherokee County — 2nd District Court (District)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Cherokee County — 369th District Court (District)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Cherokee County — County Court at Law (County Court at Law)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Cherokee County — Precinct 1 Place 1 (Justice of the Peace)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Cherokee County — Precinct 2 Place 1 (Justice of the Peace)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Cherokee County — Precinct 3 Place 1 (Justice of the Peace)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Cherokee County — Precinct 4 Place 1 (Justice of the Peace)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Cherokee County — County Clerk Office (County Clerk Office)
County clerk services, public records and office information.
Cherokee County — District Clerk Office (District Clerk Office)
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
Cherokee 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
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
Cuney Post Office — Mpo/Modular Bldg
Postal locations, mailing services and address information.
Maydelle Post Office — Mpo/Modular Bldg
Postal locations, mailing services and address information.
National resources
USPS — confirm local hours and services
Postal locations, mailing services and address information.
Veterans
County & local resources
Cherokee County veterans service contact — (903) 683-4012
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 East Texas — Cherokee County services — serves Cherokee 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.
Rusk is the county seat of Cherokee County, Texas.
The county overview lists Jacksonville as its largest community.
The total area is 1,062 sq mi (2,750 km 2 ), including land and water.
Use the Cherokee County government website for county offices and public information.
Caddo Mounds State Historic Site near Alto preserves a village and ceremonial center. See the historic site for details.
The visitor experience includes exhibits and an outdoor interpretive trail. Allow time for both. See the official planning page for details.
For office information, start with Cherokee County — Tax Assessor-Collector. Check that page for current office details before a visit.
The county links residents to Cherokee County — County Clerk. Check that page for current office details before a visit.
Use the official Cherokee County — Commissioners Court. Check that page for current office details before a visit.
Office information is available through Cherokee County — County Judge. Check that page for current office details before a visit.
Roma Italian Bistro is one option. Explore an Italian dining stop in Jacksonville.
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
- Cherokee Trace Drive-thru Safari — Plan a wildlife drive; check admission and vehicle rules.
- Cinema 3 — Choose an age-appropriate family movie and check showtimes.
- Nichols’ Green Park Playground — Enjoy the playground and seasonal splash pad.
Restaurants
- Roma Italian Bistro — Explore an Italian dining stop in Jacksonville.
- Sadler’s Kitchen — Consider a local Jacksonville meal stop.
- JW’s Barbecue — Plan a barbecue stop in Jacksonville.
Shopping & Retail
- Davenport Home + Design — Browse home decor in Jacksonville.
- Bralys Ace Hardware — Shop household and hardware supplies.
- Treasure Cove Mall — Explore vintage finds at a local shopping stop.
Clothing & Boutiques
- Factory Connection — Explore an apparel-shopping option in Jacksonville.
- Coyote Western Wear — Browse western apparel.
- Twisted Texas Boutique — Explore a local clothing boutique.
Outdoor Fun
- Lake Jacksonville — Plan a lakeside outing; confirm access, water conditions and fees.
- Nichols’ Green Park — Walk the trails or bring discs for the disc golf course.
- Cherokee Ranch Golf Club — Reserve a round and confirm current visitor access.
Free Things To Do
- Love’s Lookout Park — Enjoy a panoramic view and picnic at the public rest area.
- Nichols’ Green Park Trails — Take a walk through the public park.
- Vanishing Texana Museum — Explore historical objects with free admission; check opening hours.
Every place has a story.Find Your Next Favorite.