Blanco County is a county in Texas, United States, in the Hill Country between Austin and San Antonio. It had a population of 11,374 at the 2020 census and covers 713 square miles (1,850 km2), of which 709 square miles are land and 4.2 square miles are water, centred near 30°16′N 98°24′W.
Johnson City is the county seat and its postal code is 78636. The county has two incorporated cities, one town, and several unincorporated communities. It sits in the Central time zone.
Towns & Villages in Blanco County
Blanco County has nine named places on record: two incorporated cities, one incorporated town, and six unincorporated communities. Unincorporated places (marked “Unincorp.” below) have no municipal government and no independent population count.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson City | City · seat | 4,134 | 78636 |
| Blanco | City | 2,158 | 78606 |
| Round Mountain | Town | — | 78663 |
| Hye | Unincorp. | — | 78635 |
| Cypress Mill | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Twin Sisters | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Rocky Creek | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Sandy | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Post Oak | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Blowout | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Peyton | Unincorp. | — | — |
Johnson City’s 2020 census population is the U.S. Census Bureau’s official incorporated-place figure. Blanco’s 2020 figure comes from the same source. Round Mountain incorporated as a town but the Census Bureau does not report it as a separate place, so its population is not broken out. The old scrape spelled the community east of Johnson City “Payton” — the correct spelling on record is Peyton.
ZIP Codes
- 78636 — Johnson City (county seat)
- 78606 — Blanco
- 78663 — Round Mountain
- 78635 — Hye
Cypress Mill, Twin Sisters, Rocky Creek, Sandy, Post Oak, Blowout, and Peyton have no dedicated ZIP code and are served by one of the four post office towns above.
Geography
Blanco County lies in the Texas Hill Country, a belt of limestone hills, spring-fed rivers, and cedar-and-oak woodland on the eastern edge of the Edwards Plateau. The Blanco River, which gave the county its name, crosses the southern part of the county; the Pedernales River crosses the north. Terrain is rolling to hilly, with elevations generally between 900 and 1,900 feet.
The county is bordered by Burnet County to the north, Travis County to the northeast, Hays County to the east, Comal County to the southeast, Kendall County to the southwest, Gillespie County to the west, and Llano County to the northwest.
Demographics
Blanco County’s population was 11,374 at the 2020 census. Its two largest communities are Blanco and Johnson City, together home to well over half the county’s residents. Median household income in the county runs above the Texas median of $75,780, reflecting the Hill Country’s growth as an exurban and retirement destination for the Austin and San Antonio metro areas. Population density is roughly 16 people per square mile, one of the lower densities among counties within commuting range of Austin.
Economy & Local Life
Ranching, hunting leases, and vineyards drive the traditional rural economy, alongside a growing tourism and second-home sector tied to Hill Country wineries, dude ranches, and river recreation on the Blanco and Pedernales. Johnson City serves as the county’s government and retail center and is the gateway to the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park, which preserves LBJ’s boyhood home and the LBJ Ranch. Blanco State Park, on the Blanco River in the city of Blanco, is a longstanding local draw for swimming, tubing, and camping.
History
Blanco County was organized on February 12, 1858, formed from parts of Comal, Hays, Burnet, and Gillespie counties. It takes its name from the Blanco River, itself named for its clear, pale limestone bed — “blanco” is Spanish for “white.” The county seat moved from Blanco to Johnson City in 1890 after a bitter county-seat fight; Blanco’s original 1885 limestone courthouse still stands. Johnson City takes its name from the family of President Lyndon B. Johnson, who was raised there and later represented the district in Congress.
Getting There
US 281 runs north-south through the county and US 290 runs east-west through Johnson City, the county’s two main highways; Ranch Road 1, Loop 163, and Spur 356 serve local connections.
- Austin — 48 miles east
- San Antonio — 60 miles south
- Fredericksburg — 24 miles west
- San Marcos — 30 miles southeast
The nearest commercial airport is Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Blanco County?
It is in the Texas Hill Country, between Austin and San Antonio, bordered by Burnet, Travis, Hays, Comal, Kendall, Gillespie, and Llano counties.
What is the population of Blanco County?
11,374 people, at the 2020 census.
How big is Blanco County?
713 square miles (1,850 km2), of which 709 square miles are land and 4.2 square miles are water.
What is the county seat of Blanco County?
Johnson City, boyhood home of President Lyndon B. Johnson.
How many towns are in Blanco County?
Two incorporated cities (Blanco, Johnson City), one incorporated town (Round Mountain), and several unincorporated communities including Hye, Cypress Mill, and Twin Sisters.
What ZIP codes are in Blanco County?
78606 (Blanco), 78636 (Johnson City), 78663 (Round Mountain), and 78635 (Hye).
Why is it called Blanco County?
It is named for the Blanco River, whose pale limestone riverbed gives the water a milky, “blanco” (white) appearance.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Texas.