Erath County · North Texas community guide
Living in Stephenville
Stephenville, the Erath County seat, is a friendly college town with deep Western roots and Tarleton State University at its heart.
Overview
About Stephenville
Stephenville was founded in 1854 by John M. Stephen, who donated land for the townsite when Erath County was organized in 1856. It grew as an agricultural and livestock center, and coal mining was part of the local economy beginning in the 1880s; dairy farming has long been important in the county.
Today Stephenville is home to Tarleton State University and is among the communities that call themselves the "Cowboy Capital of the World." The city sits on the North Bosque River and had about 21,000 residents at the 2020 census.
Who Stephenville suits
Stephenville suits buyers who want a lively small city with university events, rural land and ranch properties nearby, and lower typical prices than the metroplex.
At a glance
Stephenville by the numbers
Figures are sourced below with their dates. Market values change; confirm current numbers with Jamie before making decisions.
Housing
Homes & neighborhoods
Expect established in-town neighborhoods, newer subdivisions, rental demand near Tarleton, and farm and ranch properties in the surrounding county.
Homes for sale
Homes for Sale in Stephenville
MLS search coming soonSearch Homes in Stephenville
Live MLS listings for Stephenville (ZIP 76401) are coming to this page soon. In the meantime, Jamie will happily send you current listings that match what you are looking for, including new and coming-soon homes.
Schools
Stephenville school districts
| District | TEA 2026 | TEA 2025 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stephenville ISD | A (90) | B (87) | Serves Stephenville. |
| Huckabay ISD | A (96) | A (94) | Rural district in Erath County. |
| Three Way ISD | C (75) | C (77) | Rural district in Erath County. |
| Lingleville ISD | B (89) | B (88) | Rural district west of Stephenville. |
| Bluff Dale ISD | B (87) | C (79) | Rural district east of Stephenville. |
High school campus ratings
- Stephenville High School: A (91) in 2026
Ratings are Texas Education Agency A–F accountability ratings (overall score in parentheses), released August 2026. See campus details on TXschools.gov. School boundaries change and don't follow city limits; confirm the assigned schools for any address with the district.
Market notes · as of September 2026
Stephenville home prices
Zillow's Home Value Index puts the typical Stephenville home at $320,057 as of September 2026, down 0.8% from a year earlier. The index is a smoothed, seasonally adjusted measure of mid-tier single-family homes and condos, not a sale price for any one house.
For comparison, Zillow's Fort Worth index was $292,949 in the same month.
More local numbers (September 2026)
- Realtor.com, ZIP 76401 (Stephenville): median list price $382,250, 144 active listings, 81 median days on market, 22.0% of listings with a price cut. Source: Realtor.com Research ZIP inventory.
List prices (Realtor.com) and sold prices (MLS) measure different things and aren't directly comparable. Small markets can swing sharply month to month.
Values vary widely by street, lot size, age and condition, especially where acreage, waterfront or new construction is involved. Before you buy or list, ask Jamie for a free comparative market analysis built from current active, pending and sold listings in the NTREIS MLS.
Property taxes
Stephenville property tax rates
2025 adopted rates per $100 of taxable value, from the Texas Comptroller:
| Taxing unit | Rate per $100 |
|---|---|
| Erath County | $0.3811 |
| City of Stephenville | $0.4000 |
| Stephenville ISD | $0.8875 |
| Combined (before special districts) | $1.6686 |
Example only: on a home appraised at the typical Stephenville value of $320,057, the combined rate works out to about $5,340 a year before exemptions. A homestead exemption lowers the school-tax portion (school districts must exempt $140,000 of a homestead's value, with an additional $60,000 for owners 65 or older or disabled, per the Texas Comptroller). Your actual bill depends on the appraised value, exemptions and any special districts.
Special districts (hospital, college, emergency services, MUD/PID and others) are not included and vary by property. Appraisal district: Erath County. This is general information, not tax advice.
Getting around
Commute & roads
US 377 (to Granbury and Fort Worth), US 281 (to Mineral Wells and Hico) and US 67 all serve Stephenville.
- Downtown Fort Worth: about 87 minutes / 68 miles
- Graford: about 68 minutes
Drive times are routing estimates from OSRM without traffic; rush hour and highway construction can add significant time.
Outdoors
Lakes & recreation
The North Bosque River runs through town, and Lake Granbury and Dinosaur Valley State Park are within about an hour.
Things to do
Notable attractions near Stephenville
- UniversityTarleton State University
Member of the Texas A&M University System, anchoring Stephenville's events and athletics.
- State park (nearby)Dinosaur Valley State Park
Dinosaur tracks in the Paluxy River near Glen Rose.
Everyday life
Shopping, dining & amenities
Tarleton State athletics, arts and events add to downtown restaurants and shops, with retail and healthcare along US 377.
Due diligence
Utilities, internet & flood checks
- Electricity: parts of this area are open to retail electric choice (compare plans at PowerToChoose.org), while many rural and some city areas are served by an electric cooperative or municipal utility with no choice. The provider depends on the exact address.
- Water & sewer: inside city limits, service usually comes from the city or a water supply corporation. Outside city limits, homes often rely on a water supply corporation or a private well plus an on-site septic system (OSSF). Ask for well and septic inspections before closing.
- Internet: options range from fiber and cable in town to fixed wireless and satellite in the country. Check any address on the FCC National Broadband Map.
- Flood risk: look up the property on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and ask your insurance agent about flood coverage, even outside a mapped flood zone.
Map
Stephenville on the map
Use the layer button (top right of the map) to show TEA school district boundaries or FEMA flood hazard zones around Stephenville.
Map of Stephenville loads here…
School district and flood layers are for general reference only. Verify districts with the TEA School District Locator or the district, and flood zones with the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and a survey or elevation certificate. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Keep reading
More on Stephenville
Local FAQ
Stephenville questions
Is Stephenville a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. Stephenville suits buyers who want a lively small city with university events, rural land and ranch properties nearby, and lower typical prices than the metroplex. Jamie is happy to tour Stephenville with you and talk through schools, commute, taxes and lifestyle.
How far is Stephenville from Fort Worth?
Stephenville is about 87 minutes (68 miles) by car to downtown Fort Worth without traffic, based on OSRM routing estimates.
What school districts serve Stephenville?
Stephenville ISD (A, 90 in 2026); Huckabay ISD (A, 96 in 2026); Three Way ISD (C, 75 in 2026); Lingleville ISD (B, 89 in 2026); Bluff Dale ISD (B, 87 in 2026). Ratings are TEA 2026 A–F accountability ratings. District boundaries do not follow city limits, so always confirm the school district for a specific address.
What is the property tax rate in Stephenville?
Using 2025 adopted rates from the Texas Comptroller, the combined county, city and school-district rate is about $1.6686 per $100 of taxable value (Erath County$0.3811; City of Stephenville$0.4000; Stephenville ISD$0.8875). Special districts such as hospital, college, emergency services or MUD/PID districts can add to this. Check the exact property with its appraisal district.
What county and appraisal district is Stephenville in?
Stephenville is in Erath County. Property values are set by the appraisal district for the county where the property sits.
What is the typical home value in Stephenville?
Zillow's Home Value Index for Stephenville was $320,057 as of September 2026 (-0.8% year over year). For a specific home, ask Jamie for a comparative market analysis.
How does Tarleton State affect the housing market?
Tarleton creates steady rental demand near campus, which matters if you are buying an investment property or a home near student housing. Ask Jamie about rental history and nearby uses.
Are there horse properties and land near Stephenville?
Yes. Erath County has farms, ranches and horse properties. Check water source, septic, fencing, ag valuation and any deed restrictions.
How does ag exemption work on Erath County land?
"Ag exemption" usually means open-space agricultural valuation set by the Erath County appraisal district. Each district publishes its own use and acreage guidelines. If land changes to a non-agricultural use, rollback taxes can be due for the previous three years (Texas Comptroller). Ask the CAD before you buy.
What internet service is available?
It varies by address, from fiber and cable in town to fixed wireless and satellite in rural areas. Enter the exact address on the FCC National Broadband Map and ask the seller what they use before you buy.
How do I file a homestead exemption in Stephenville?
File with the Erath County appraisal district once the home is your principal residence; there is no fee. School districts must exempt $140,000 of a homestead's value, plus an additional $60,000 for owners 65 or older or disabled (Texas Comptroller). The general deadline is before May 1. Find the district's contact information in the Comptroller's county directory.
Does Stephenville flood, and how do I check a property?
Flood risk is property-specific, often tied to creeks, rivers and low areas. Look up the address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center, ask for the seller's disclosure and any elevation certificate, and get a flood-insurance quote even outside a mapped flood zone.
Sources
Where these facts come from
- Zillow Research, ZHVI by city (as of September 2026)
- Realtor.com Research ZIP inventory (September 2026)
- Texas Education Agency, 2026 Statewide Multi-Year Ratings and TXschools.gov
- Texas Comptroller, 2025 county, city and school district tax rates · Comptroller exemptions
- Appraisal district contacts (Comptroller county directory): Erath County
- Wikipedia: Stephenville (history; 2020 U.S. Census population)
- OSRM routing (drive-time estimates)
- Official site: Stephenville
This content is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules, rates and deadlines change. Confirm details with the appropriate agency, attorney, CPA or lender.
Explore nearby
Thinking about Stephenville?
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