Jim Hogg County, TX Property Records

    Jim Hogg County is in deep South Texas, between Laredo and Corpus Christi. Its population at the 2020 U.S. Census was 4,838, with 2025 estimates placing it near 4,555 and declining. The county seat and only incorporated city is Hebbronville. The county was created in 1913 and named for James Stephen Hogg, Texas's first native-born governor and one of its most consequential, who fought the railroad monopolies and established the Texas Railroad Commission during his 1891–1895 term.

    The housing market is thin and affordable. The median property value is approximately $115,100, well below the Texas statewide average. Recent Redfin sales range from $15,000 to $299,900, reflecting an extremely bifurcated market with limited monthly transaction volume. The median household income is approximately $42,292. According to Federal Reserve Economic Data, an estimated 30–35% of households are cost-burdened.

    An important operational note, the County Clerk's online portal provides access to records dating back to 1963. Documents recorded before 1963 are available only in person at the courthouse. Researchers dealing with historical chains of title should plan an in-person visit for any instruments predating that year.

    Who Keeps the Official Land Records

    All official land records in Jim Hogg County are maintained by the Jim Hogg County Clerk. The office is located at the Jim Hogg County Courthouse in Hebbronville, Texas.

    What County Property Records Include

    The County Clerk maintains all instruments affecting the ownership and encumbrance of real property. Recorded documents include:

    • Deeds: Warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, special warranty deeds, trustee deeds, and correction deeds.

    • Deeds of Trust: The primary mortgage instrument in Texas; conveys a security interest to a trustee on behalf of a lender.

    • Releases and Reconveyances: Discharge instruments releasing liens or deeds of trust once obligations are satisfied.

    • Oil and Gas Leases: Mineral leases, assignments, ratifications, and releases.

    • Easements and Rights-of-Way: Pipeline easements, utility easements, and access rights.

    • Mechanic's and Materialman's Liens: Filed under Chapter 53, Texas Property Code.

    • Powers of Attorney: Including durable and real-property-specific instruments.

    • Assignments: Including assignments of leases, rents, and mineral interests.

    • Lis Pendens: Notices of pending litigation affecting title.

    • Subdivision Plats: Plat maps of subdivisions within the county.

    How to Access Jim Hogg County Property Records

    Online Access

    Use the County Clerk's Official Records Search portal for records from 1963 to the present. Also search Texasfile and select Jim Hogg County.

    In Person

    Visit the Jim Hogg County Courthouse at 102 E. Tilley St., Hebbronville, TX 78361. Pre-1963 records are available only in person.

    By Phone

    Call (361) 527-4031 during business hours.

    By Mail

    Mail requests to P.O. Box 878, Hebbronville, TX 78361. Include instrument details, $1.00 per page plus $5.00 for certification, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

    What's Not at the County Clerk's Office

    • Property Appraisal: Jim Hogg County Appraisal District.

    • Property Taxes: Jim Hogg County Tax Assessor-Collector. Contact through the courthouse at (361) 527-4031.

    • Texas RRC: RRC for oil and gas well records and production data.

    Step-by-Step: How to Pull a Deed Online

    To research a property deed using online resources:

    • Search TexasFile: Go to RRC and select the county. Search by grantor/grantee name, document type, and date range.

    • Identify the instrument: Note the volume and page number or instrument number and recording date.

    • Retrieve a copy: Download images if available. If not, contact the County Clerk at (361) 527-4031 or mail a request to P.O. Box 878, Hebbronville, TX 78361.

    • Verify appraisal data: Cross-reference the parcel at the county appraisal district for assessed value, ownership, and exemption status.

    • Check mineral interests: Search the Texas RRC for well locations and production data.

    • Confirm tax status: Verify current tax payment history with the County Tax Assessor-Collector.

    Cities & Towns in Jim Hogg County

    • Hebronville: County seat and only incorporated city. Population approximately 4,190. Named for James R. Hebbron, an early rancher. The commercial and governmental center of the county. Nearly the entire county population lives in or near Hebbronville.

    City/Town Resources for Assessments & Taxes

    • Jim Hogg County Appraisal District:

    • Jim Hogg County Tax Assessor-Collector: Contact through the courthouse at (361) 527-4031.

    • Texas Comptroller:

    County-Specific Nuances

    • Online records begin in 1963 pre-1963 records are in-person only: The County Clerk's online portal covers instruments from 1963 to the present. Researchers needing pre-1963 documents must visit the courthouse in person. For any historical chain of title tracing ownership prior to 1963, plan an in-person visit to Hebbronville.

    • Named for Texas's first native-born governor: James Stephen Hogg was the first Texas governor born within the state. His anti-monopoly reforms and creation of the Texas Railroad Commission in 1891 shaped Texas governance for generations. This is local historical identity and has no bearing on property records.

    • 91.4% Hispanic population Spanish-language instruments may be encountered in older records: Older property instruments in deep South Texas counties may be partially or entirely in Spanish, reflecting the region's historical land tenure practices. Researchers dealing with historical chains of title should be prepared for this possibility.

    • Texas uses a County Clerk, not a Recorder of Deeds: The County Clerk is the statutory custodian of all recorded land instruments under the Texas Local Government Code.

    • Texas uses deeds of trust, not traditional mortgages: Search for "deed of trust" rather than "mortgage" when examining encumbrances.

    • Severed mineral estates are common: A deed to the surface does not convey mineral rights unless explicitly stated. Mineral ownership must be traced through a separate chain of instruments.

    • Texas homestead rights: Both spouses must sign a deed or deed of trust conveying or encumbering the homestead.

    • Community property state: Property acquired during marriage is generally owned equally by both spouses.

    • Agricultural land exemptions: Land qualifying for ag appraisal is valued on productive capacity rather than market value. Assessed values may be substantially lower than market value.

    Typical Contents of a Jim Hogg County Property Record

    • Deeds:

      • Grantor and grantee names

      • Full legal description

      • Consideration

      • Warranty covenants

      • Acknowledgment

      • Recording volume.

    • Deeds of Trust:

      • Borrower,

      • Lender, and trustee names

      • Loan amount

      • Legal description

      • Power of sale clause.

    • Oil and Gas Leases:

      • Lessor and lessee names

      • Leased premises

      • Primary term

      • Royalty rate

      • Bonus consideration.

    • Ranch Leases:

      • Lessor and lessee names

      • Description of leased premises

      • Term

      • Grazing rights

      • Annual payment.

    • Releases:

      • Reference to the original deed of trust

      • Statement of satisfaction

      • Lender signature.

    Recording Changes to Property Titles

    All instruments affecting real property must be recorded with the County Clerk in person, by mail, or through an approved e-recording service.

    Documents must satisfy the following requirements:

    • Acknowledgment: Must be acknowledged before a notary public; dated on or after execution.

    • Legal Description: Complete legal description referencing the appropriate survey, abstract number, and block/lot designations.

    • Legibility: 8.5 x 11 inches, clearly printed, with a 3-inch top margin on the first page.

    • Grantor/Grantee Names: All parties identified by full legal name.

    Practical Research Flow (Checklist)

    • Identify the parcel: Obtain the legal description from the deed, tax records, or the county appraisal district.

    • Search the grantor/grantee index: Use TexasFile or the County Clerk's in-office index.

    • Retrieve deed documents: Trace all deeds in the chain of title. Review for legal description accuracy, warranty covenants, and reservations.

    • Search for encumbrances: Search for deeds of trust, mechanic's liens, lis pendens, and other recorded encumbrances.

    • Review oil and gas instruments: Search for mineral-related instruments. Determine whether the mineral estate has been severed from the surface estate.

    • Check Texas RRC records: Visit RRC for active wells, operators, and production data.

    • Verify appraisal and tax status: Confirm assessed value, exemption status, and tax payment history.

    • Confirm homestead status: Determine whether the property carries a homestead exemption.

    • Review plat records: For subdivided properties, confirm plat recording.

    • Obtain certified copies: Confirm the current fee schedule with the Clerk before mailing payment.

    Appendix A - Municipalities in Jim Hogg County, TX

    Jim Hogg County has 1 incorporated city and several unincorporated municipalities.

    • Cities: Hebbronville - Which is the county seat.

    • Unincorporated Communities and Census-Designated Places: Agua Nueva, Altavista, Cuevitas, Guerra, Humble Colorado Camp, Las Lomitas, Randado, San Antonio Viejo, South Fork Estates, and Thompsonville.

    In addition to its city and unincorporated communities, Jim Hogg County includes several colonias and hamlets. These communities do not operate as independent municipalities; instead, they fall under the governance of Jim Hogg County or are located within the unincorporated areas of the county. (Wikipedia).

    Appendix B - Key Contacts & Portals