'Cowboy Capital of the World' 70 miles from Fort Worth
As one of the self-described “Cowboy Capitals of the World,” Stephenville embraces its agricultural and rural heritage. “A lot of cowboys live in this area and we have a big dairy history,” says Joyce Holland, a resident of Stephenville and the owner/broker of Holland Home & Land Realty.” About 70 miles from Fort Worth, this town of almost 21,000 has been growing, with more retail options, improvements made to the park system and Tarleton State University, a branch of Texas A&M university. “The biggest draw is Tarleton. It’s really grown. It brings a lot of students from the (Dallas-Fort Worth) metroplex and other states,” Holland says. “It went D1 a few years ago, and they’re currently working on an event center and a humanities building.” The city’s biggest employers are the university; TechnipFMC, an oil-related company; the Stephenville Independent School District; Saint-Gobain Abrasives and Schreiber Foods, a cheese packaging plant. There are also plans for an Amazon distribution center. “Agriculture is huge, but the city is pretty versatile,” Holland says.
Hay barrels fill the land in Stephenville, showcasing the area's agricultural roots.
Agriculture thrives in Stephenville, where farms paint the landscape.
1/2
Ranch-style homes and new construction in Stephenville
Stephenville is filled with ranch-style homes, most set in a grid-layout throughout the city. The median price for homes is $347,000, with more expensive homes on the edge of the community. These properties may include more acreage and sit on a ranch or a farm, while others may just be new construction. “There’s plenty of new construction being built. They’ve run out of space in city limits, so they are building in the country,” says Holland. “Most of the new buildings in city limits are apartments or duplexes.” Holland goes on to mention that the city is aiming to bring in more young professionals and singles.
Tarleton State University requires first-year students to live on campus, but afterward are allowed to choose to live on campus or in Stephenville.
In Stephenville, ranch-style homes provide the perfect blend of style and space.
Explore the latest new construction homes on the edge of Stephenville.
1/2
Home to Tarleton State University
Stephenville Independent School District receives an overall grade of A-minus by Niche. Stephenville High School first opened in 1875 and is rated the best public high school in Erath County by Niche. The district has an intermediate school for fifth and sixth grades and a junior high for seventh and eighth grade. “The high school is state champs in different areas and are actually in the process of building a new football stadium,” Holland says.
Stephenville is home to Tarleton State University’s main campus. The college first opened in 1899, becoming part of the Texas A&M University System in 1917. Today, Tarleton has about 18,000 students. The city also has a campus of Ranger College, a two-year institution that offers general education classes, in addition to courses like cosmetology, welding and EMT.
Fuel ambition at Stephenville High School, where dreams take flight.
Tarleton University is at the heart of Stephenville, shaping the future for many locals.
1/2
City boasts a seasonal water park and pickleball courts
Stephenville City Park is the largest in town, with 112 acres that include a disc-golf course and a seasonal water park. “They’ve made upgrades to the parks and have room for more baseball and softball competitions,” says Holland. “The tennis courts are striped for pickleball. There are nice city parks that are utilized, including a walking trail.” Optimist Jaycee and Bill Johnson parks are additional green spaces. The Bosque River Trail is almost three miles long. Tarleton State University also has several tennis and pickleball courts. Legends Country Club has an 18-hole golf course, open to the public. Tejas Golf Course is another public facility with 9-holes. Hunting is also a popular activity. Nearby is Wendy Lou Classic Game Reserve, where groups or individuals can hunt animals that are typically native to Africa.
Stephenville locals hit the greens at Legends Golf Course.
Stephenville Park is a peaceful retreat for outdoor lovers, offering space for relaxation.
1/2
Local businesses downtown with new retailers coming in
Downtown Stephenville has local businesses and boutiques surrounding the courthouse. It is also the location of a seasonal farmer’s market. “We have three grocery stores: H-E-B, Aldi and Walmart,” says Holland. “There’s new shopping. A Chick-fil-A came in – I think we were the first in a country area to get one – and (residents) were just blown away. We’re finally getting some retail that you don’t typically see in the rural areas.” Along U.S. Route 377 are national retailers and regional chains like Atwoods, a hardware store, on U.S. Route 281.
Stock up on essentials and more at Stephenville's Walmart.
Unless your artistic side at Hobby Lobby in Stephenville.
1/2
Moo-La, cowboys and a rodeo
“There are lots of celebrations and events that take place,” says Holland. “Like Moo-La.” Moo-La is the name of the unofficial mascot of Stephenville – a fiberglass Holstein who watches over the center of town. Moo-La Fest is a celebration of the city’s heritage as a dairy community. Held the first weekend in June, the festival features a carnival, hot air balloons, food, live music and dairy-centered activities. The Cowboy Capital of the World Pro Rodeo is a three-day event in late September that includes rodeo competitions like roping and mutton bustin’. The weekend ends with performances by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.
U.S. Route 377 into Fort Worth
There are no major interstates in Stephenville, but U.S. routes 377, 281 and 67 run through the city, with Route 377 reaching into Fort Worth. Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is about 90 miles northeast of Stephenville. Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Stephenville is located just up the street from Downtown Stephenville.
Written By
Samantha Hacker
Photography Contributed By
Aylin Reyna
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Angela Hudson,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Stephenville, TX sell after 60 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Stephenville, TX over the last 12 months is $330,000, down 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Step into unparalleled luxury with this Mediterranean-style masterpiece nestled on six manicured acres in the heart of Stephenville. Designed for those with discerning taste, this custom-built estate blends timeless architecture with world-class finishes and resort-style amenities. From the moment you enter, imported Costa Rican teak floors and hand-selected Mexican columns make a bold statement
Investor Special!! This property and location has a ton of potential! The possibilities are endless with this 1,099 sqft 2 bedroom 1 bath home. Property needs a complete remodel but it could be the perfect home for a flip or used as a rental property for Tarleton State University students. Spacious corner lot on a quiet street just minutes from downtown Stephenville and TSU. Property is be sold
When coming home means more than just a place you hang your hat. Come home to peace of mind and comfort at this twenty five acre masterpiece just minutes from Stephenville, TX. The property features a custom masonry three bedroom, two and a half bath main home with covered parking, screened in porch sitting in a perfectly kept landscaped yard filled with scattered oak trees. Additionally, there
Remodeled 3 bed 2 bath home in City Addition is a beautiful traditional home. Refurbished wood flooring bring a refreshing look throughout the house. Living room, formal dining, kitchen features include updated lighting, plenty of kitchen cabinets, eat-in kitchen island, dishwasher, electric range, and refrigerator. Enjoy the privacy of your own deck overlooking the spacious fenced backyard and
Living at Lillian Crossroads Apartments in Stephenville, TX, offers the perfect combination of relaxation and wellness with two refreshing swimming pools and a fully equipped fitness center. Enjoy a vibrant lifestyle with convenient amenities right outside your door!
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
