Lake Granbury living with a historic square and an easygoing pace

Hood County is home to approximately 67,817 residents across eight cities and communities, anchored by the historic lakefront city of Granbury. Median home values reach $304,925 countywide, with waterfront and gated communities in Pecan Plantation commanding premiums while rural Tolar and Lipan offer more affordable acreage properties. The county's economy centers on retail trade, healthcare, and hospitality serving both residents and Lake Granbury's steady visitor traffic, with construction employment reflecting ongoing development pressure. The 82 percent homeownership rate and median age above 42 reflect Hood County's appeal to established families and retirees seeking small-town character within an hour of Fort Worth.

Cities Compared

Granbury and its waterfront communities like Pecan Plantation and Oak Trail Shores command the county's highest home values, driven by lake access and established amenities, while western communities like Tolar and Lipan offer larger acreage properties at lower per-acre costs for buyers prioritizing space over proximity to the lake.

Demographics

The county's population skews older and more established than Texas averages, with a median age of 42.3 years and homeownership exceeding 82 percent. The demographic profile is predominantly white at 81.4 percent with a growing Hispanic population at 13.7 percent, while the bachelor's degree attainment rate of 32 percent suggests a mix of retirees, professionals, and working families.

Economy

Retail trade leads employment with over 3,000 workers serving both residents and Lake Granbury's tourism economy, followed closely by healthcare and accommodation services. Construction employment exceeds 1,500 workers with competitive average pay above $70,000, reflecting sustained development pressure as the county continues attracting residents from the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

Schools

School district data was not provided for Hood County, though the presence of multiple communities suggests coverage by Granbury ISD and potentially neighboring districts serving the county's rural western areas.

Cost of Living

With median household income near $89,000 and median home values around $305,000, Hood County offers relative affordability compared to the Dallas-Fort Worth core while commanding a premium over more rural counties. The high homeownership rate and low rental inventory reflect a market oriented toward permanent residents rather than transient populations.

About Hood County

Hood County occupies a distinctive position in the North Central Texas landscape, where the rolling hills of the Brazos River valley meet Lake Granbury's 8,310 acres of waterfront. Established in 1866 and named for Confederate General John Bell Hood, the county has evolved from cattle ranching and frontier settlement into one of the region's most sought-after destinations for retirees and families seeking small-town character within reach of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

Granbury anchors the county as both its historic seat and population center, built around a courthouse square that has remained remarkably intact since the 1890s. The city's Victorian architecture and lakefront position have transformed it into a regional draw, with the historic downtown supporting a thriving restaurant and boutique scene that attracts weekend visitors from across the metroplex. The lake itself was created in 1969 when the Brazos River Authority dammed De Cordova Bend, fundamentally reshaping the county's identity and economy. What had been ranch land became premium waterfront property, and communities like Oak Trail Shores and Pecan Plantation developed as master-planned enclaves offering golf courses, marinas, and gated living.

The county's western reaches tell a different story. Tolar and Lipan remain agricultural communities where cattle operations and hay production continue on family land that has been worked for generations. These towns represent Hood County's ranching heritage, with wide open spaces and properties measured in acres rather than lots. The contrast between lakefront Granbury and rural Tolar illustrates the county's dual character—part recreational destination, part working landscape.

DeCordova and Canyon Creek occupy the middle ground, offering more affordable entry points than Granbury proper while maintaining proximity to the lake and its amenities. Stockton Bend serves primarily as a waterfront community with a strong homeowner association presence. With 54 registered HOAs concentrated heavily in Granbury, the county reflects a preference for maintained communities and shared amenities, particularly among the retiree population that has driven much of the recent growth.

The demographic profile skews older and more established than Texas as a whole, with a median age above 42 and homeownership exceeding 82 percent. This is not a county of apartment complexes and starter homes—it's a place where people come to settle, often after careers elsewhere. The economy reflects this orientation, with retail trade, healthcare, and accommodation services employing the most workers as the county serves both residents and the steady stream of visitors drawn to Lake Granbury. Construction employment remains robust as development continues, particularly in the lakefront corridors and gated communities that continue to attract buyers from the metroplex seeking a quieter pace without complete isolation from urban amenities.

From Granbury's Historic Square to Tolar's Ranch Roads

Granbury defines Hood County for most residents and visitors, its Victorian courthouse square serving as the commercial and cultural heart of the region. The city wraps around Lake Granbury's northern shore, with the historic downtown giving way to waterfront neighborhoods and the master-planned communities that have absorbed much of the county's growth over the past two decades. The square itself remains a functioning town center rather than a museum piece, with locally owned restaurants, antique stores, and the restored Granbury Opera House creating a destination that draws crowds on weekends while serving daily needs for residents.

Pecan Plantation represents the county's most ambitious planned community, a gated development spanning thousands of acres with championship golf courses, equestrian facilities, and its own architectural review standards. The community attracts retirees and executives seeking resort-style amenities with permanent residence, creating a distinct enclave within the broader county. Oak Trail Shores similarly offers waterfront living with community amenities, though on a smaller scale and with a more accessible price point than Pecan Plantation's estate properties.

Tolar occupies the county's western edge, where Hood County transitions into Erath County's ranching territory. This is where the lake effect fades and the landscape opens into pastureland and scattered homesteads. Properties here tend toward larger acreage, attracting buyers seeking room for horses, cattle, or simply distance from neighbors. Lipan shares this rural character, serving as a small community center for the surrounding agricultural area with a school, post office, and the essential services that support working ranch families.

DeCordova and Canyon Creek function as the county's more affordable alternatives to Granbury proper, offering proximity to the lake and county seat without the premium attached to historic district addresses or direct waterfront access. These communities have grown as Granbury's popularity has pushed prices upward, providing options for families and working professionals who want Hood County's quality of life at a more accessible entry point. Stockton Bend rounds out the county's community roster as a smaller waterfront development, adding to the constellation of lake-oriented neighborhoods that have reshaped Hood County's identity over the past generation.

Identifiers

GEOID

48221

State FIPS

48

County FIPS

221

Statistics

Neighborhoods

2

Population

27,351

Geography

Type

polygon

Area

1,131 km²

Data Source

Primary Source

tiger

Census Reference

QuickFacts

Frequently Asked Questions About Hood County

What is Hood known for?

Hood County defines itself through the interplay between Lake Granbury's recreational identity and its deeper ranching heritage. The county seat of Granbury has successfully preserved its Victorian courthouse square while embracing its role as a lake destination, creating an unusual combination of historic preservation and resort-town amenities. The eastern half of the county, shaped by the lake's creation in 1969, has developed into waterfront neighborhoods and master-planned communities that attract retirees and weekenders from the metroplex. The western portions around Tolar and Lipan maintain the agricultural character that defined the entire county before the dam transformed the Brazos River valley into prime waterfront real estate.

What cities are in Hood County?

Granbury dominates the county as both its largest city and cultural center, with the restored courthouse square and lakefront setting creating the county's primary destination for dining, shopping, and entertainment. Pecan Plantation operates almost as a city unto itself, a gated community with thousands of residents and resort-level amenities including championship golf and equestrian facilities. Oak Trail Shores and Stockton Bend serve as additional waterfront communities with varying price points and amenity packages. DeCordova and Canyon Creek provide more affordable alternatives to Granbury proper while maintaining reasonable proximity to the lake and county services. Tolar and Lipan anchor the county's western agricultural areas, serving ranching families and buyers seeking larger acreage away from the lake's development pressure and premium pricing.

What is the cost of living in Hood?

Hood County positions itself as more affordable than the Dallas-Fort Worth core while commanding higher prices than counties further from the metroplex, with median home values around $305,000 reflecting this middle position. Lakefront properties and gated communities like Pecan Plantation push well above county medians, while rural acreage in Tolar and Lipan offers lower entry points for buyers prioritizing land over amenities. The median household income near $89,000 suggests residents can generally support the housing costs, though the market favors established buyers over first-timers. Property tax information was not available, though buyers should anticipate typical Texas reliance on property taxes in the absence of state income tax.

How are the schools in Hood?

School district information was not provided for Hood County, though Granbury Independent School District likely serves the majority of county residents given the city's dominance. Families considering Hood County should research district boundaries carefully, as the county's geographic spread and multiple communities may fall under different district jurisdictions. The presence of historic Add-Ran Christian College in the 19th century, which later became Texas Christian University after relocating to Fort Worth, suggests a long educational tradition in the area, though current public school performance data would require direct district research.

Is Hood good for families?

Hood County appeals to families seeking small-town schools, outdoor recreation, and a slower pace than the metroplex while maintaining reasonable commuting distance to Fort Worth employment centers. The lake provides year-round recreation from boating to fishing, while the county's low crime reputation and high homeownership rate suggest stable neighborhoods. The demographic skew toward older residents means fewer young families than in suburban growth counties, but also indicates established communities and well-maintained properties. Families should weigh the benefits of Hood County's character and affordability against the longer commutes required for metroplex employment and the more limited selection of activities and services compared to larger suburban counties.

How does Hood compare to nearby areas?

Hood County distinguishes itself from neighboring Somervell County through greater population and commercial development, while offering more small-town character than the rapidly suburbanizing Parker County to the north. Johnson County to the east provides closer proximity to Fort Worth but lacks Hood County's lake amenities and historic preservation. Erath County to the west remains more agricultural and less developed, appealing to buyers seeking true rural living rather than Hood County's lake-oriented recreational identity. The key differentiator remains Lake Granbury itself, which has shaped development patterns and property values in ways that neighboring counties cannot replicate, creating a niche market for waterfront living and resort-style communities within reach of major employment centers.

Find Your Place in Hood County

Whether you're drawn to Granbury's historic square, searching for lakefront property, or seeking ranch acreage in Tolar's open country, Hood County's diverse communities offer distinct lifestyles within a single county. Connect with a Texas Ally advisor who understands the differences between waterfront premiums and rural value, and can help you navigate a market where character and location create significant price variations.