Where is Fort Bend County?
Fort Bend County is on the coastal plains of southeastern Texas. Its county seat is Richmond, about 28 miles west-southwest of Houston, near the center of the county. The 2020 Census counted 822,779 residents. The Census Bureau lists its land area as 861.72 square miles.
How is Fort Bend County governed?
Fort Bend County is governed by a Commissioners Court. The court has a county judge and four commissioners, one for each precinct. The county clerk is an ex officio, non-voting member. The court sets the county tax rate and budget. It maintains the county’s unincorporated areas and county facilities.
How did Fort Bend County develop?
In 1822, a small party of Anglo-American colonists built a cabin on a bluff near a deep bend in the Brazos River. The cabin was called both Fort Settlement and Fort Bend. The second name prevailed. The Congress of the Republic of Texas passed an act establishing Fort Bend County on December 29, 1837. The county was formed from parts of Austin, Harris and Brazoria counties. Citizens voted on January 13, 1838, to make Richmond the county seat.
The Buffalo Bayou, Brazos and Colorado Railway reached Stafford’s Point in 1853. Imperial Sugar Company acquired the Sugar Land refinery and cane mill in 1907. Oil and gas were found at Blueridge in the early 1920s. Residential development grew in the early 1970s as Houston expanded. The Handbook of Texas lists 130,960 residents in 1980 and 225,421 in 1990.
Which cities and waterways are in Fort Bend County?
The county website lists 18 cities and towns. They include Richmond, Rosenberg, Sugar Land, Missouri City, Stafford, Fulshear, Needville, Meadows Place, Katy and Pearland. The Handbook of Texas notes that part of Houston also lies in the county. The Brazos River, San Bernard River, Big Creek, Oyster Creek and Buffalo Bayou run through the county.
What should property owners know about drainage in Fort Bend County?
The Fort Bend Central Appraisal District (FBCAD) appraises property for property tax purposes. It was created in 1982. It serves 260 local taxing units and appraises about 428,000 accounts each year.
The Fort Bend County Drainage District maintains drainage channels where it holds easements. It also reviews drainage reports, plans and plats for new developments.