Population252,549 (July 1, 2025 estimate)
East Texas Woodlands with Tyler at Their Heart
Smith County, TexasSmith County centers on Tyler, its county seat and largest city, within the East Texas region. Tyler State Park offers a wooded outdoor destination with a lake and trails, while the city provides a different setting for county life. Begin with the activity or place that interests you most, then connect nearby stops into a manageable visit. The county’s story includes both its nineteenth-century formation and a much longer Indigenous history.
Smith County at a Glance
Population252,549 (July 1, 2025 estimate)
County SeatTyler
Largest CityTyler
EstablishedJuly 1846
ZIP Codes27
Total Area950 sq mi (2,500 km 2 )
Major RoutesInterstate 20 U.S. Highway 69 U.S. Highway 80 U.S. Highway 271 State Highway 31 State Highway 57 State Highway 64 State Highway 110 State Highway 135 State Highway 155 Loop 49 Loop 124 Loop 235 Loop 323 Spur 80 Spur 147 Spur 164 Spur 248 Spur 364 Spur 514
Area Code430 / 903
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
Smith County
Smith County was established in 1846 and named for James Smith, a general during the Texas Revolution. Tyler became the county seat. Caddo people inhabited the area before county formation, and Cherokee communities led by Chief Bowles arrived in the early nineteenth century. Their history belongs within the account of the region rather than outside it. The county’s later institutions and communities developed within that existing landscape, creating a local story that cannot be reduced to a single founding date.
Tyler State Park provides a destination for hiking, lake activities and time in the East Texas woods. Use the park’s current visitor information to select activities and check reservations or alerts before setting out. A park visit can be paired with time in Tyler, but leave enough room for the experience you choose rather than adding too many stops. The city and surrounding county have distinct public responsibilities, so match service questions to the relevant location.
What Shapes Us
Tyler
Tyler serves as both county seat and largest city. It offers a starting point for county information and for exploring destinations across the surrounding area.
State Park Woods
Tyler State Park combines woodland trails with a lake setting. Consult official park information when selecting an activity and checking the arrangements for your visit.
Indigenous History
Caddo and Cherokee histories precede county formation. Including those experiences gives a fuller account of the region than beginning only with the establishment of county government.
Woodland places and community life share an East Texas setting.
My Local Guide
Smith 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 Smith 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
Current Election Information
Official voter, election and polling-place information.
Food, housing & family support
East Texas Food Bank — food assistance
Regional food-bank network serving Smith 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
Whitehouse ISD
School and district information, contacts and educational resources.
Chapel Hill 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
Smith County — AgriLife Extension
Find county Extension contacts, local educational programs and 4-H information.
Hospitals
County & local resources
Baylor Scott & White Texas Spine & Joint Hospital — Acute Care Hospitals
Health services and information about finding local assistance.
Christus Mother Frances Hospital — Acute Care Hospitals
Health services and information about finding local assistance.
University Of Texas Health Science Center At Tyler — Acute Care Hospitals
Health services and information about finding local assistance.
Ut Health East Texas Tyler Regional Hospital — 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
Smith 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 Smith 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
County & local resources
Tyler State Park
Park locations, visitor information and current access details.
Trails
Texas resources
Tyler State Park — Interactive Trails Map
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
Lillie Russell Memorial Library
Library locations, collections and public services.
Cameron-J Jarvis Troup Municipal Library
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
Smith County — County Court (County Constitutional Court)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Smith County — 114th District Court (District)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Smith County — 241st District Court (District)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Smith County — 321st District Court (District)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Smith County — 475th District Court (District)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Smith County — 7th District Court (District)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Smith County — County Court at Law (County Court at Law)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Smith County — County Court at Law No. 2 (County Court at Law)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Smith County — County Court at Law No. 3 (County Court at Law)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Smith County — Precinct 1 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
Smith 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
Tyler -Tyler Transit System
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
Tyler Post Office — Main Office/P&D
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
Smith County veterans service contact — 9035902950
Veterans services, benefits information and support resources.
Employment
County & local resources
Employment Opportunities
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.
Tyler is the county seat of Smith County, Texas.
The county overview lists Tyler as its largest community.
The total area is 950 sq mi (2,500 km 2 ), including land and water.
Use the Smith County government website for county offices and public information.
Tyler State Park offers trails and lake activities. Its official guide provides current visitor information and alerts. Official information.
The park’s entrance-fee page provides current admission information. Official information.
For departmental information, start with Smith County — Road and Bridge. Check that page for current office details before a visit.
Don Juan on the Square is one option. A downtown Tyler dining stop on the square.
Tatum Music Company is one option. Browse a downtown music retailer.
Lucio’s Boot Repair & Western Wear is one option. A local stop for western wear and boot services.
Tyler State Park is one option. Plan a park outing among East Texas pines. Check entry reservations and current conditions.
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
- Caldwell Zoo — Explore wildlife exhibits with the family. Check admission and current visitor information.
- Discovery Science Place — Explore science through hands-on exhibits. Check admission and program availability.
- Green Acres Bowl — Plan a family bowling outing; confirm lane availability before visiting.
Restaurants
- Don Juan on the Square — A downtown Tyler dining stop on the square.
- Heritage East at Culture ETX — Explore this downtown dining option and check current menus.
- Brick’s Bar & Grill — A bar-and-grill option for a downtown meal.
Shopping & Retail
- Tatum Music Company — Browse a downtown music retailer.
- Ye Olde City Antique Mall — Explore antiques in downtown Tyler.
- Visit Tyler Visitor Center — Find local artwork and Tyler souvenirs while gathering visitor information.
Clothing & Boutiques
- Lucio’s Boot Repair & Western Wear — A local stop for western wear and boot services.
- Velvet: A Vintage Collection — Browse vintage clothing on South Broadway Avenue.
- Hangers of Hope Superstore — Shop secondhand clothing and household finds at the Loop 323 store.
Outdoor Fun
- Tyler State Park — Plan a park outing among East Texas pines. Check entry reservations and current conditions.
- Legacy Trail — Walk or cycle the paved trail along a former rail route.
- Faulkner Park — Enjoy nature trails, picnic areas, a playground and other park facilities.
Free Things To Do
- Tyler Municipal Rose Garden — Walk the rose garden with free garden admission; museum arrangements are separate.
- Goodman Museum — Explore historic furnishings and local history with free admission. Check visiting hours.
- Art Alley and downtown murals — View outdoor public art around downtown, including Art Alley behind West Erwin Street.
Every place has a story.Find Your Next Favorite.