Stephenville calls itself the Cowboy Capital of the World, and it means it. This is a town where the feed store is as busy as the coffee shop, where cutting horses and ranch rodeo are part of everyday conversation, and where a good share of the people at the grocery store are wearing boots for work, not fashion.
It's also a college town. Tarleton State University, part of the Texas A&M University System, brings students, faculty, and steady rental demand, and gives Stephenville a younger energy than most towns its size.
For buyers, that adds up to a market with a little of everything: homes in town, student and investment rentals, and some of the best horse property and acreage in North Central Texas within a short drive of the square.
Stephenville is the county seat of Erath County, Texas, with a population of about 20,900 at the 2020 census. It sits at the junction of U.S. Highways 377, 281, and 67, about 40 minutes southwest of Granbury and about an hour and 15 minutes from Fort Worth. It's home to Tarleton State University and is known for agriculture and its horse industry.
County | Erath County (county seat) |
ZIP codes | 76401, 76402 |
City population | About 20,900 (2020 census) |
Highways | U.S. 377, U.S. 281, U.S. 67 |
University | Tarleton State University (Texas A&M University System) |
Founded | 1854 |
School district | Stephenville ISD |
Property types | Homes in town, rentals, acreage, horse property, ranches |
To Granbury | About 40 minutes |
To Fort Worth | About 1 hour 15 minutes |
Stephenville is in the center of Erath County, southwest of Fort Worth. U.S. 377 connects it to Bluff Dale, Tolar, and Granbury to the northeast.
Approximate drive times from Stephenville:
Horse property is a specialty market. Arena footing, barn layout, water, fencing, and access for trucks and trailers all affect value in ways a standard appraisal doesn't always catch. We grew up in a ranching family and Chelsea is a Tarleton graduate in animal science, so we look at these properties the way a horse owner does.
Tarleton has been part of Stephenville since the 1890s and is one of the town's biggest economic drivers. For buyers, it means:
School | Grades |
Central Elementary School | PK–K |
Chamberlin Elementary School | 1–2 |
Hook Elementary School | 3–4 |
Gilbert Intermediate School | 5–6 |
Henderson Junior High School | 7–8 |
Stephenville High School | 9–12 |
Stephenville ISD groups students by grade level, so every child in the district attends the same campus at each stage. Acreage outside town may be zoned to a nearby district such as Huckabay, Lingleville, Three Way, or Bluff Dale ISD, so we confirm the district by address.
Stephenville | Granbury | Bluff Dale | |
County | Erath | Hood | Erath |
Feel | College town and county seat | Lake town and historic square | Ranch country |
Typical property | Town homes, rentals, horse property | Subdivisions, lake homes, acreage | Ranches, river land, hunting land |
To Fort Worth | About 1 hour 15 minutes | About 45 minutes | About 1 hour 10 minutes |
Best for | Tarleton, ag, and equine | Lake life and amenities | Land and privacy |
Stephenville is the county seat of Erath County, about 40 minutes southwest of Granbury and about an hour and 15 minutes from Fort Worth.
About 20,900 people lived in Stephenville at the 2020 census.
Stephenville uses the nickname because of its deep ties to ranching, rodeo, and the horse industry.
Tarleton State University, part of the Texas A&M University System.
Stephenville ISD: Central Elementary (PK–K), Chamberlin Elementary (1–2), Hook Elementary (3–4), Gilbert Intermediate (5–6), Henderson Junior High (7–8), and Stephenville High School (9–12).
Yes. Stephenville is one of the strongest horse property markets in North Central Texas, with acreage, barns, and arenas close to town.
Tarleton State University creates steady rental demand from students, faculty, and staff. We can help you look at rents, vacancy, and location before you buy.
Many parents do instead of paying rent for four years, especially with roommates helping cover the payment. We can walk you through the numbers.
About 40 minutes on U.S. Highway 377.
Texas Real Estate Twins sells homes, acreage, and horse property across Erath, Hood, and Somervell counties. Call or text Chelsea at 940-704-6033 or Bailey at 940-781-4829.
21,682 people live in Stephenville, where the median age is 25.1 and the average individual income is $27,593. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Total Population
Median Age
Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.
Average individual Income
Stephenville has 8,247 households, with an average household size of 2.2. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Stephenville do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 21,682 people call Stephenville home. The population density is 1,826 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Total Population
Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.
Median Age
Men vs Women
Population by Age Group
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10-17 Years
18-24 Years
25-64 Years
65-74 Years
75+ Years
Education Level
Total Households
Average Household Size
Average individual Income
Households with Children
With Children:
Without Children:
Marital Status
Blue vs White Collar Workers
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White Collar:
