
Rains County · North Texas · County seat: Emory
Rains County, TX homes, land & communities
Lake Tawakoni and Lake Fork shoreline around Emory and Point — weekend homes and fishing property.
- County seat
- Emory
- Towns we serve
- 3
- Population
- 13,542Census estimate, July 2025
- Main routes
- US-69, SH-19, SH-276
- Best for
- Lake living, Weekend homes
Living in Rains County
Is Rains County a good place to live?
Rains County sits between two of the best-known lakes in East Texas: Lake Tawakoni on the west and Lake Fork on the east. Emory is the county seat, and the county’s official seal calls it the “Eagle Capital of Texas.” About 13,500 people live here.
It is a favorite for weekend homes, fishing property and quiet lake living within about 90 minutes of Dallas.
Why people move here
- Lake Tawakoni and Lake Fork
- Weekend and fishing homes
- Small-town living in Emory and Point
- Acreage between the lakes
Towns & cities
Towns in Rains County
Jump straight to homes for sale in any town in the county.
Buying land
Buying land & acreage in Rains County
Outside city limits, county land is mostly unincorporated, so the rules come from the county, the deed and the utility providers rather than a city. That makes due diligence before you make an offer especially important.
Texas counties generally can’t zone land outside city limits, so deed restrictions, HOA rules, floodplain maps, septic permits and nearby cities’ ETJ subdivision rules decide what you can build.
- Survey and boundary lines
- Legal, recorded road access
- Water: city, water supply corporation or well
- Septic suitability (OSSF permit)
- FEMA floodplain
- Deed restrictions and HOA
- Mineral rights
- Ag or wildlife valuation
Rural electric: Farmers Electric Cooperative and other co-ops serve the county.
Our land & acreage guideTaxes & schools
Property taxes & school districts
Your total property tax rate is the sum of the county, city (if inside city limits), school district and any special districts (MUD, PID, hospital or college district). The county rate itself is$0.5243 for tax year 2025 per $100 of value.
Look up any property’s value, exemptions and taxing units at the Rains County Appraisal District.
School districts
Lakes & outdoors
- Lake Tawakoni (west side)
- Lake Fork Reservoir (east side)
For sale now
Homes & land for sale in Rains County
MLS# 21423488
Century 21 First Group
MLS# 21425839
Better Homes and Gardens Real
MLS# 21426553
L.L. Spencer Real Estate
MLS# 21418009
Ten Twenty Realty LLC
MLS# 21418013
Ten Twenty Realty LLC
MLS# 21425357
Glass Land and Home LLC
Keep exploring
More ways we help North Texas buyers and sellers
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What lakes are in Rains County?
Parts of Lake Tawakoni (on the west) and Lake Fork Reservoir (on the east).
Why is Rains County called the Eagle Capital of Texas?
The phrase appears on the county’s official seal, reflecting the eagles seen around its lakes.
What towns are in Rains County, Texas?
Ten Twenty Realty serves the whole county, includingEast Tawakoni, Emory and Point. Some towns straddle the county line, so we confirm the county, school district and tax rate for every address.
What is the county seat of Rains County?
Emory is the county seat. The courthouse, appraisal district and most county offices are there.
Can I buy land or acreage in Rains County?
Yes. Acreage is available on the edges of most towns here. Before you buy, we check the survey, legal access, water, septic, floodplain, deed restrictions and ag valuation. See our land & acreage guide.
Which Ten Twenty agents serve Rains County?
Shayla Eadler works the county regularly, and every inquiry is answered by a local agent, usually within the hour during business hours.
Neighboring counties we serve




