Lampasas County is a county in Texas, United States, on the eastern edge of the Edwards Plateau, in the west-central part of the state. It had a population of 21,627 at the 2020 census and covers 714 square miles (1,850 km2) centred near 31°11′N 98°14′W.
Lampasas is the county seat, and its postal code is 76550. The county has three incorporated cities, six unincorporated communities, and one CDP that spans into a neighboring county. It sits in the Central time zone; the county’s FIPS code is 48281.
Towns & Villages in Lampasas County
Lampasas County has three incorporated cities and a handful of small unincorporated communities scattered across its rural, hill-country interior. Copperas Cove, the county’s largest population center by name, lies mostly across the line in neighboring Coryell County, with only a small slice reaching into Lampasas County. “CDP” below means census-designated place; “Unincorp.” means unincorporated community with no local government.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lampasas | City · seat | 7,921 | 76550 |
| Kempner | City | 1,417 | 76539 |
| Lometa | City | 790 | 76853 |
| Copperas Cove (part) | City | — | 76522 |
| Adamsville | Unincorp. | — | 76550 |
| Bend | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Izoro | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Moline | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Nix | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Rumley | Unincorp. | — | — |
Copperas Cove’s city limits lie almost entirely in Coryell County; only a small residential edge crosses into Lampasas County, so its population and government are counted there, not here.
ZIP Codes
- 76550 — Lampasas (also serves Adamsville)
- 76539 — Kempner
- 76853 — Lometa
- 76522 — Copperas Cove (the Lampasas County edge of the city)
Bend, Izoro, Moline, Nix, and Rumley are too small to have their own post office and use the ZIP code of the nearest town.
Geography
Lampasas County sits on the eastern rim of the Edwards Plateau, where the flat Blackland terrain of central Texas gives way to the rougher limestone hills of the Hill Country. The Lampasas River, which gave the county its name, crosses the county and feeds Lake Colorado City and the Colorado River system downstream; Sulphur Creek and the Cowhouse Creek watershed also drain parts of the county. Terrain ranges from rolling grassland in the east to steep, cedar-covered hills in the west.
Lampasas County borders Hamilton County to the north, Coryell County to the northeast, Bell County to the southeast, Burnet County to the south, San Saba County to the west, and Mills County to the northwest.
Demographics
Lampasas County had 21,627 residents at the 2020 census, giving it a density of about 30 people per square mile. Lampasas, the county seat, is the largest community with roughly 7,900 residents, followed by Kempner at around 1,400. Median household income in the county runs below the Texas median of $75,780, reflecting the county’s rural, ranching-based economy.
Economy & Local Life
Ranching and agriculture remain central to the county’s economy, particularly cattle, hay, and goat production on the Hill Country pastureland. The county’s proximity to Fort Cavazos (the renamed former Fort Hood), just across the line in Coryell and Bell Counties, supports many households through military employment and off-post services. Lampasas itself has a historic downtown built around its Hancock Springs park and hosts an annual Fourth of July celebration and a Spring Ho festival tied to the town’s mineral-water heritage.
History
Lampasas County was organized in 1856, carved from parts of Travis, Bell, and Coryell Counties, and named for the Lampasas River. Lampasas town grew up around a set of natural mineral springs that drew health-seeking visitors in the late 19th century, and the county was the site of the 1877 Horrell-Higgins feud, one of the era’s notable Texas range wars. The arrival of the railroad in 1882 and, much later, the buildup of nearby Fort Hood during World War II shaped the county’s modern economy.
Getting There
U.S. Highways 183, 190, and 281 all pass through the county, meeting at Lampasas.
- Killeen — 30 miles southeast
- Austin — 65 miles south
- Brownwood — 45 miles northwest
- Burnet — 30 miles south
The nearest commercial airport is Killeen-Fort Cavazos Regional Airport, about 35 miles southeast; Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, roughly 70 miles south, offers wider national and international service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Lampasas County?
It is in west-central Texas, on the eastern edge of the Edwards Plateau, about 65 miles north of Austin.
What is the population of Lampasas County?
21,627 people at the 2020 census.
How big is Lampasas County?
714 square miles (1,850 km2), of which about 1.1 square miles is water.
What is the county seat of Lampasas County?
Lampasas is the county seat.
How many towns are in Lampasas County?
Three incorporated cities — Lampasas, Kempner, and Lometa — plus several small unincorporated communities and a small edge of Copperas Cove.
What ZIP codes are in Lampasas County?
76550 (Lampasas), 76539 (Kempner), 76853 (Lometa), and 76522 (the Copperas Cove edge).
What is Lampasas County named after?
The Lampasas River, which crosses the county.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Texas.