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County seat: Bandera · Texas

Bandera County

Ranch land, Medina River frontage and the town of Bandera, with Medina Lake to the southeast and the Lost Maples canyons to the west.

  • ~22,000
    Population
  • ~$368K
    Median Sale Price
  • Bandera
    County Seat
  • 791 sq mi
    Land Area

Where it is

Where Bandera County sits

Texas Hill Country (Edwards Plateau.

  • ~1 hrto Downtown San Antonio
    via TX-16 S from Bandera
  • ~1 hrto San Antonio Int'l Airport
    via TX-16 S and Loop 1604
  • ~35 minto Boerne
    via TX-46 E from Bandera
  • ~35 minto Kerrville
    via TX-173 N from Bandera

Drive times are approximate and assume no traffic.

About Bandera County

Hill Country ranch land an hour from the city

Bandera County covers about 791 square miles of the Edwards Plateau northwest of San Antonio. The Medina River runs through the middle of it, from the apple orchards around Medina down past the town of Bandera and into Medina Lake on the county's southeast edge. The county was organized in 1856, and early settlers included Polish and German immigrants alongside ranching families. The Texas Legislature recognizes Bandera as the Cowboy Capital of the World, and dude ranches, rodeo and western dance halls are still part of everyday life here.

Most residents live outside the one incorporated city. Lakehills, the largest community, sits on the north shore of Medina Lake, and Pipe Creek and Bandera Falls fill in the country between the lake and TX-16. West of town, Medina, Tarpley and Vanderpool are small ranch communities in steep, wooded canyons. Housing ranges from lake cabins and older homes on small lots to golf-course homes at the Flying L, to large ranch tracts with river or creek frontage.

Buyers here are usually trading commute time for land and quiet. Many properties rely on private water wells and septic systems, and acreage tracts often carry agricultural or wildlife-management property tax valuations. Flood zones along the Medina River and its creeks, road access in wet weather and internet options vary a great deal from tract to tract, so they belong on the checklist for any rural purchase.

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22,021
Population
53.5
Median Age
$75,813
Median Household Income
9,255
Households
85.9%
Owner-Occupied Rate

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year (2024). Figures are rounded.

What stands out

Why people choose Bandera County

  1. Cowboy Capital of the World

    Bandera holds the official title from the Texas Legislature. Guest ranches operate around town, and the Bandera ProRodeo runs at Mansfield Park on Memorial Day weekend.

  2. The Medina River

    The river runs through the county and along the edge of downtown Bandera. Bandera City Park gives about 77 acres of riverbank for swimming, fishing and picnics.

  3. Hill Country State Natural Area

    More than 5,000 acres of canyons and creek bottoms southwest of Bandera, with multiuse trails open to hikers, mountain bikers and riders who bring their own horses.

  4. Lost Maples in the Fall

    Lost Maples State Natural Area near Vanderpool protects a stand of bigtooth maples. Their fall color draws visitors from across Texas, and there are more than 10 miles of trails.

  5. Main Street Dance Halls

    Arkey Blue's Silver Dollar on Main Street has hosted live country music for decades, and the Frontier Times Museum, open since 1933, keeps the county's ranching history on display.

  6. Medina Lake

    Lakehills, Lake Medina Shores and Bandera Falls sit near the lake. Water levels rise and fall sharply with drought and heavy rain, which affects boat access and lakefront values.

Towns & areas

Where people live in Bandera County

Price ranges are approximate, based on recent sales, and change with the market.

  • Bandera (in town)

    $250K–$500KWalk to Main St · Older homes

  • Flying L Ranch

    $300K–$650KGolf course · Resort amenities

  • Bandera River Ranch

    $300K–$600KHOA pool · Newer homes

  • Lakehills

    $175K–$450KMedina Lake · Value

  • Lake Medina Shores

    $200K–$650KLake access · Hillside lots

  • Pipe Creek

    $300K–$900KAcreage · Near Boerne

  • Bandera Falls

    $200K–$450KMedina River · Wooded lots

  • Medina

    $300K–$1MOrchards · River valley

  • Tarpley

    $250K–$800KRanch land · Remote

  • Vanderpool

    $350K–$1.5MCanyon views · Large tracts
  • 1856
    Year Bandera County was organized
  • 5,000+
    Acres in Hill Country State Natural Area
  • 77
    Acres in Bandera City Park on the Medina River
  • 85.9%
    Of households own their home
  • 10+
    Miles of trails at Lost Maples

Live MLS data

Bandera County homes for sale

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HOA fees

What to expect monthly

Community typeTypical fee
In-town Bandera and older lake neighborhoodsNone to ~$25/month
Lake and river subdivisions with POAs~$10–$60/month
Amenity communities (Flying L, Bandera River Ranch)~$40–$150/month
Rural acreage and ranch tractsUsually none (deed restrictions common)

Many Bandera County properties have no HOA but do carry deed restrictions. Ask for the restrictions and any POA dues before you make an offer, especially on lake lots.

What HOA dues often cover

  • Private road maintenance in some subdivisions
  • Lake or river access areas and boat ramps where present
  • Community pools and recreation areas in amenity communities
  • Deed restriction enforcement (minimum home size, livestock rules)
  • Common-area mowing and entry signage

Parks & recreation

Getting outside in Bandera County

  • Hill Country State Natural Area

    5,000+ acres

    10600 Bandera Creek Rd, Bandera, TX 78003

    • Multiuse hiking, biking and equestrian trails
    • Primitive and hike-in camping
    • Equestrian day-use area
    • Group lodge
    Directions ↗

  • Lost Maples State Natural Area

    37221 FM 187, Vanderpool, TX 78885

    • 10+ miles of trails
    • Campsites with water and electricity
    • Fishing on the Sabinal River and Can Creek
    • Birding and fall foliage
    Directions ↗

  • Bandera City Park

    77 acres

    1102 Maple St, Bandera, TX 78003

    • Medina River swimming and fishing
    • Horseshoe Bend 18-hole disc golf
    • Silver Spur Skatepark
    • Covered pavilions and BBQ pits
    Directions ↗

  • Mansfield Park (Bandera County)

    2886 TX-16 N, Bandera, TX 78003

    • Rodeo arena
    • RV sites and tent camping
    • Outdoor dance pavilion
    • Recreation hall
    Directions ↗

Schools

Schools serving Bandera County

Most of the county is in Bandera ISD; Medina ISD serves the Medina area, and small portions fall in Northside ISD and Utopia ISD.

SchoolGradesDistrict
Alkek ElementaryPK-5Bandera ISD
Hill Country ElementaryPK-5Bandera ISD
Bandera Middle School6-8Bandera ISD
Bandera High School9-12Bandera ISD
Medina SchoolPK-12Medina ISD
Utopia School (located in Uvalde County)PK-12Utopia ISD

School assignments depend on the address and are set by each district; boundaries can change. Confirm eligibility directly with the district. Option One Real Estate does not rate or rank schools.

Nearby

Compare nearby areas

AreaStarting aroundWhy consider it
Kendall CountyFrom ~$350KBoerne and Comfort sit just east on TX-46, with more retail and a shorter run to I-10.
Medina CountyFrom ~$200KShares Medina Lake and offers Castroville and Hondo for buyers who want lower prices closer to US-90.
BoerneFrom ~$400KAbout 35 minutes from Bandera, with a walkable Main Street, Boerne ISD and quick I-10 access.
HelotesFrom ~$350KThe last stop on TX-16 before San Antonio, popular with commuters who want Hill Country terrain.
Bexar CountyFrom ~$200KNorthwest San Antonio offers the widest range of homes within an hour of Bandera.

FAQ

Questions about Bandera County

The median sale price in Bandera County was about $368,000 over the three months through September 2026, according to Redfin. The Census Bureau's 2024 ACS puts the median value of owner-occupied homes at $278,400. Small sample sizes mean the monthly figure swings a lot, so look at recent sales near the specific property.

Bandera is the only incorporated city and the county seat. Lakehills and Lake Medina Shores are census-designated places, and Pipe Creek, Medina, Tarpley, Vanderpool and Bandera Falls are unincorporated communities.

Downtown Bandera is about 50 miles from downtown San Antonio, roughly an hour via TX-16. Boerne and Kerrville are each about 35 minutes away.

Bandera ISD covers most of the county and operates Alkek Elementary, Hill Country Elementary, Bandera Middle and Bandera High School. Medina ISD runs a single PK-12 campus in Medina, and small areas fall in Northside ISD and Utopia ISD. Always confirm the assigned district for a specific address.

Usually not. Most rural homes use private water wells and on-site septic systems. Ask for well production records and the septic permit, and budget for an inspection of both.

Often, yes. Qualifying land can receive an agricultural (open-space) or wildlife-management valuation through the Bandera Central Appraisal District, which can cut the taxable value sharply. A homestead exemption also applies to your primary residence.

It can be, but water levels at Medina Lake vary widely between drought and heavy rain years. Check current levels, how far the lot sits from usable water at low stages, and whether the subdivision has its own boat ramp.

It helps. Rural deals involve wells, septic, easements, deed restrictions and tax valuations that do not come up in city purchases. Option One Real Estate is based in nearby Boerne and works with buyers across the western Hill Country.

Day to day

Life in the Cowboy Capital

Weekends in Bandera County tend to start on Main Street and end on the river. Live music runs most nights at the dance halls, the rodeo arena at Mansfield Park stays busy from spring through fall, and families float or fish the Medina River at the city park when the water is up.

Outside town, the pace slows further. Residents ride the trails at Hill Country State Natural Area, buy apples and pie at the orchards around Medina, and make the drive out RM 337 to Vanderpool for Lost Maples in the fall. Groceries and errands usually mean a trip into Bandera, Boerne or northwest San Antonio.

  • Bandera ProRodeo at Mansfield Park on Memorial Day weekend
  • Live country music at Arkey Blue's Silver Dollar on Main Street
  • Trail riding and mountain biking at Hill Country State Natural Area
  • Fall color at Lost Maples State Natural Area near Vanderpool
  • Apples and pie at Love Creek Orchards in Medina
  • Swimming and disc golf at Bandera City Park on the Medina River

Thinking about Bandera County?

Talk with an Option One agent who works here, or start with live listings.

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Sources and data notes (data as of 2026-10)

Prices, HOA ranges and drive times are estimates. Census figures are rounded. Verify anything that affects a decision.

  1. censusreporter.org/profiles/05000US48019-bandera-county-tx/
  2. api.censusreporter.org/1.0/data/show/latest?table_ids=B25003&geo_ids=05000US48019
  3. www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2024_Gazetteer/2024_Gaz_counties_national.zip
  4. redfin.com/county/2649/TX/Bandera-County/housing-market
  5. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandera_County,_Texas
  6. tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/hill-country
  7. tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/lost-maples
  8. banderatx.gov/park
  9. banderacowboycapital.com/business/bandera-city-park
  10. banderacowboycapital.com/business/mansfield-park
  11. banderacounty.gov/page/parks.medina_lake
  12. banderacowboycapital.com/business/arkey-blues-silver-dollar
  13. frontiertimesmuseum.org
  14. lovecreekorchards.com/
  15. kwsanantonioportfolio.com/neighborhoods/bandera-river-ranch
  16. nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/ (Bandera County public schools, 2024-25/2025-26)
  17. nces.ed.gov/surveys/pss/privateschoolsearch/ (Bandera County private schools)
  18. pipecreekchristianschool.org/
  19. router.project-osrm.org (drive-time estimates)