Population9,693 (July 1, 2025 estimate)
Community Crossroads and Water in West Central Texas
Runnels County, TexasRunnels County centers on Ballinger and includes communities such as Winters within west-central Texas. Ballinger is the county seat and largest city. New Ballinger Lake offers one outdoor destination, with public access through a city-owned park. Begin with a specific community or lake facility, then plan the rest of the visit around nearby places. The county’s history includes changes in its administrative center as well as the longer story of the surrounding land.
Runnels County at a Glance
Population9,693 (July 1, 2025 estimate)
County SeatBallinger
Largest CityBallinger
Established1858 (organized 1880)
ZIP Codes11
Total Area1,057 sq mi (2,740 km 2 )
Major RoutesU.S. Highway 67 U.S. Highway 83 U.S. Highway 277 State Highway 153 State Highway 158 Loop 438
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
Runnels County
Runnels County was created in 1858 and organized in 1880. It was named for Hiram G. Runnels, a Texas legislator, and formed from portions of Bexar and Travis counties. Runnels City was the original county seat; Ballinger now holds that role. The area’s human history includes Jumano and Comanche peoples before county government. Following the changes in county seats provides one way to connect the administrative timeline with the communities that developed across this part of west-central Texas.
New Ballinger Lake has a city-owned public access area with camping, picnic facilities and a boat ramp. Texas Parks and Wildlife identifies fees for day use and camping, so include those arrangements in your planning. Check conditions and access before making a lake outing the focus of the day. Time in Ballinger or Winters can provide a different county experience, with public destinations chosen in advance rather than treating every shoreline or rural property as accessible.
What Shapes Us
Ballinger
The county seat and largest city serves as a starting point for local information. Its present role follows an earlier county seat at Runnels City.
New Ballinger Lake
The city-owned lake park provides a public access point. Check current conditions and the fees associated with day use or camping before planning an outing.
County Beginnings
Creation in 1858 and organization in 1880 mark separate stages of county government. Earlier Indigenous histories belong to a much longer regional timeline.
Local communities and waterside places connect a broad rural landscape.
My Local Guide
Runnels 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 Runnels 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.
Commissioner’s Court
Commissioners court information, meetings and county business.
Food, housing & family support
Food Bank of West Central Texas — food assistance
Regional food-bank network serving Runnels 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
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
Runnels County — AgriLife Extension
Find county Extension contacts, local educational programs and 4-H information.
Hospitals
County & local resources
Ballinger Memorial Hospital — Critical Access Hospitals
Health services and information about finding local assistance.
North Runnels Hospital — 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 1 serving Runnels 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 Runnels 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 Runnels 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
Runnels County — County Court (County Constitutional Court)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Runnels County — 119th District Court (District)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Runnels County — Precinct 1 Place 1 (Justice of the Peace)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Runnels County — Precinct 2 Place 1 (Justice of the Peace)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Runnels County — County Clerk Office (County Clerk Office)
County clerk services, public records and office information.
Runnels County — District Clerk Office (District Clerk Office)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Runnels County — Ballinger (Municipal)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Runnels County — Miles (Municipal)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Runnels County — Winters (Municipal)
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
Runnels 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
Veteran Service Office
Veterans services, benefits information and support resources.
Runnels County veterans service contact — 3253653612
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 Runnels 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.
Ballinger is the county seat of Runnels County, Texas.
The county overview lists Ballinger as its largest community.
The total area is 1,057 sq mi (2,740 km 2 ), including land and water.
Use the Runnels County government website for county offices and public information.
Texas Parks and Wildlife identifies the city-owned park on the southeast shore, with camping, picnicking and a boat ramp. Official information.
The official access guide lists charges for day use and camping. Confirm current arrangements before visiting. Official information.
The county links residents to Runnels County — County Clerk. Check that page for current office details before a visit.
For departmental information, use Runnels County — Sheriff. Check that page for current office details before a visit.
Office information is available through Runnels County — County Judge. Check that page for current office details before a visit.
Alejandra’s is one option. Plan a meal on South Sixth Street in Ballinger.
Curiosities is one option. Explore a local shop on Hutchings Avenue.
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
- Ballinger Imagination Station — Explore the family play area in Ballinger City Park.
- Ballinger Municipal Pool and Splash Pad — Plan seasonal water play; check current hours and admission.
- Winters Public Library Family Reading — Browse books together; check borrowing eligibility and current opening hours.
Restaurants
- Alejandra’s — Plan a meal on South Sixth Street in Ballinger.
- Beefmaster Steakhouse — Visit the Ballinger steakhouse on North Broadway.
- Main Street Soda Fountain — Stop for a downtown treat on Hutchings Avenue.
Shopping & Retail
- Curiosities — Explore a local shop on Hutchings Avenue.
- The Quilt Shop in Ballinger — Browse quilting finds in downtown Ballinger.
- Talented Friends — Visit this Hutchings Avenue shop for local shopping.
Clothing & Boutiques
- Good Time Charlie Land Co. Boutique — Browse the boutique on Hutchings Avenue.
- Gypsy Threads Tees & More — Explore tees on North Main Street in Winters.
- Walmart Ballinger Fashion — Shop everyday clothing, shoes and accessories.
Outdoor Fun
- New Ballinger Lake — Plan fishing or picnicking; day-use and camping fees apply.
- Elm Creek Reservoir — Explore lake recreation east of Winters; check conditions, access and fees.
- Ballinger City Park Disc Golf — Bring discs for the public nine-hole course.
Free Things To Do
- Ballinger Duck Pond — Observe the ducks from public areas; drive slowly near the pond.
- Pioneer Plaza — Enjoy a downtown stop across from the courthouse.
- Ballinger City Park Picnic — Relax beneath the park’s shade trees; reserved facilities and camping cost extra.
Every place has a story.Find Your Next Favorite.