Bosque County is a county in Texas, United States, northwest of Waco along the Bosque and Brazos rivers. It had a population of 18,235 at the 2020 census and covers 1,003 square miles (2,600 km2), of which 983 square miles (2,550 km2) are land, centred near 31°54′N 97°38′W.
Meridian is the county seat, and its postal code is 76665. The county has seven incorporated cities and towns, three census-designated places, and more than a dozen smaller unincorporated communities. Bosque County is in the Central time zone; its FIPS code is 48035.
Towns & Villages in Bosque County
Clifton is the county’s largest city and its commercial and cultural center, though Meridian holds the courthouse. The table below lists every incorporated place and census-designated place (CDP) with a 2020 population, plus the smaller unincorporated communities carried over from the county’s historical settlement list. Texas has no civil townships, so places are grouped by type only.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meridian | City · seat | — | 76665 |
| Clifton | City | — | 76634 |
| Valley Mills | City | — | 76689 |
| Morgan | Town | — | 76671 |
| Walnut Springs | Town | — | 76690 |
| Iredell | Town | — | 76649 |
| Cranfills Gap | Town | — | 76637 |
| Laguna Park | CDP | — | 76644 |
| Kopperl | CDP | — | 76652 |
| Mosheim | CDP | — | 76634 |
| Bosque | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Brazos Point | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Cayote | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Cedar Shores | Unincorp. | — | 76689 |
| Crossroad Store | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Eulogy | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Greenock | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Lakeside Village | Unincorp. | — | 76689 |
| Lakewood Harbor | Unincorp. | — | 76689 |
| Norse | Unincorp. | — | 76634 |
| Pendell | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Rock Springs | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Smiths Bend | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Womack | Unincorp. | — | — |
Cedar Shores, Lakeside Village and Lakewood Harbor are small lake communities on Lake Whitney near Valley Mills and share its 76689 ZIP; Norse and Mosheim sit near Clifton and share its 76634 ZIP.
ZIP Codes
- 76634 — Clifton (also serves Norse, Mosheim)
- 76637 — Cranfills Gap
- 76644 — Laguna Park (PO Box only)
- 76649 — Iredell
- 76652 — Kopperl
- 76665 — Meridian
- 76671 — Morgan
- 76689 — Valley Mills (also serves Cedar Shores, Lakeside Village, Lakewood Harbor)
- 76690 — Walnut Springs
The remaining unincorporated places — Bosque, Brazos Point, Cayote, Crossroad Store, Eulogy, Greenock, Pendell, Rock Springs, Smiths Bend and Womack — use the ZIP code of their nearest post office town rather than one of their own.
Geography
Bosque County sits on the Texas Hill Country’s northern edge, straddling the Blackland Prairie to the east and the Grand Prairie and Cross Timbers to the west. The Bosque River, which gave the county its name, runs north to south through the middle of the county before joining the Brazos. The Brazos River and the reservoir it feeds, Lake Whitney, form most of the eastern border.
Bosque County borders Somervell County to the north, Johnson County to the northeast, Hill County to the east, McLennan County to the southeast, Coryell County to the south, Hamilton County to the west, and Erath County to the northwest.
Demographics
Bosque County had 18,235 residents at the 2020 census. Clifton is the largest community, followed by Meridian, the county seat. Median household income runs below the Texas median of $75,780, typical of the county’s rural, agricultural economic base. Population density is about 18.5 people per square mile.
Economy & Local Life
Cattle ranching, hay production, and pecan growing anchor the county’s rural economy, alongside quarrying of the local limestone. Clifton, settled largely by Norwegian immigrants in the 1850s, is home to Clifton College’s historic campus buildings and calls itself the “Norwegian Capital of Texas,” marking the tie every fall with Norse Day. Lake Whitney draws recreational fishing and boating traffic to the county’s eastern communities.
History
Bosque County was organized in 1854, carved from McLennan County, and named for the Bosque River — Spanish for “forest” or “woods,” a name the Marqués de San Miguel de Aguayo gave a tributary in 1721. Norwegian immigrants began settling the Clifton and Norse area in the 1850s, one of the earliest and most enduring Norwegian colonies in Texas. The county was heavily Democratic through much of the 20th century before shifting strongly Republican after 1980.
Getting There
State Highways 6, 22, 144, 174 and 317 cross the county; there is no interstate access. Approximate distances from Meridian:
- Waco — 30 miles southeast
- Fort Worth — 65 miles northeast
- Stephenville — 30 miles northwest
- Hillsboro — 30 miles east
The nearest commercial airport is Waco Regional Airport (ACT), about 35 miles southeast of Meridian.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Bosque County, Texas?
It is in north-central Texas, about 30 miles northwest of Waco, along the Bosque and Brazos rivers.
What is the population of Bosque County?
18,235 people, per the 2020 census.
How big is Bosque County?
1,003 square miles (2,600 km2), of which 983 square miles are land.
What is the county seat of Bosque County?
Meridian is the county seat, though Clifton is the largest city.
How many towns are in Bosque County?
Seven incorporated cities and towns, three census-designated places, and more than a dozen smaller unincorporated communities.
What ZIP codes are in Bosque County?
Nine ZIP codes serve the county, from 76634 (Clifton) to 76690 (Walnut Springs); see the list above.
Why is it called Bosque County?
It is named for the Bosque River, from the Spanish word for “forest.”
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Texas.