Despite an oil boom, Karnes City has not lost its small-town charm
Oil and gas production has attracted considerable growth to the South-Central Texas town of Karnes City. The boom started in the mid-2010s, bringing in an influx of part-time workers and development. Multiple RV parks and hotels cater to the workers. However, more people have been establishing roots in the area. “The main thing that I see is families moving to (Karnes City),” says Kyrissa Parsons, a broker with Sovy Realty Group, who has been selling in the community for 6 years. “They are getting better pay and job opportunities because of the oil fields.” Karnes City is friendly community with outdoor spaces and a downtown centered around the Karnes County Courthouse.
Mix of older and new housing with no HOA
Homes in Karnes City include ranch styles, bungalows and New Traditionals, which can sell between $150,000 and $375,000. Homeowners' associations are not present. Properties toward the center of Karnes City are on gridded streets with smaller lot sizes, with oak and mesquite trees accenting some lawns. Parsons notes that larger plots of land are outside of town. “The vast majority of this area out here is going to be rural and large acres,” Parsons says
Green spaces and annual events add to Karnes City’s calendar
The community has several green spaces, including Karnes City Park, which features sports courts, a covered playground and baseball diamonds. Highland Park also has baseball backstops.
Dockery Arena, north of the community, hosts rodeos and bull riding competitions. Founder’s Day, held annually in late December, features carnival rides, food and craft vendors and a parade. Nearby, Panna Maria, one of the oldest Polish settlements in the nation, has a Polish Heritage Center that hosts multiple cultural events.
Schools range from C to B-plus on Niche
Students start at Karnes City Primary School, rated B-minus on Niche. They continue to C-graded Karnes City Elementary, which opened a new STEM center in March 2025. Karnes City Junior High has a B-minus, while Karnes City High School earns a B-plus.
Dining near downtown, but shopping options are limited
Restaurants are concentrated on East Calvert and Badger Drive. Taqueria Vallarta serves breakfast along with tacos and enchiladas. Partners BBQ has chicken and brisket. Rise Coffee and Community in downtown has sandwiches, baked goods and coffee drinks.
Downtown has several boutique shops. Karnes City has a Dollar General and several convenience stores. H-E-B and Walmart are roughly five miles southeast in Kenedy.
Flooding risk and earthquakes in Karnes City
Flood maps from the Federal Emergency Management Agency show a slight risk of flooding, especially on the city's western edge. Earthquakes can also be present, with a 4.5-magnitude tremor impacting the area in January 2025.
Intercity buses, U.S. Highway 181 and access to San Antonio
Greyhound provides intercity bus connections. U.S. Highway 181 runs along the southwestern edge of Karnes City, linking the area to San Antonio and Corpus Christi. San Antonio International Airport is 65 miles northwest. Otto Kaiser Memorial Hospital is south of the city on U.S. 181.
