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Texas · Central Texas · #193 Most Populous County in the US
Bell County, Texas
Central Texas's military and medical hub - from Fort Cavazos, one of the largest Army installations in the world, and Killeen's sprawling military community to Temple's Scott & White Medical Center and the county seat of Belton on Stillhouse Hollow Lake. Property tax, courts, public records, and senior services for Bell County residents.
Affiliate disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you use them, at no extra cost to you. Our editorial recommendations are independent of these relationships.
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Bell County's assessment ratio means effective tax rates are low — but incorrect appraisals still cost money. Ownwell manages the appeal with no upfront cost.
Office: Bell County Office of Emergency Management – Bell County Communications and EOC Building, 708 W. Avenue O, Belton, TX 76513 | (254) 933-5518 | Coordinator: Bob Reinhard, [email protected] | Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM
911/Dispatch: Bell County Communications Center 9-1-1 – same building, (254) 933-5500
Special Needs Registration: Residents needing evacuation/medical assistance during a disaster can register via STEAR (stear.tdem.texas.gov) or by calling 2-1-1 Texas, available 24/7 in multiple languages
Notes: Bell County is a large, populous county (pop. approx. 402,000 in 2025) home to Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood), one of the largest military installations in the world – evacuation and emergency planning in this county accounts for large-scale scenarios including flooding along Nolan Creek and dam-related emergencies near Belton and Stillhouse Hollow Lakes. For an active emergency, call 911.
Roads & Utilities
ROADS & TRANSPORTATION
Roads: I-14/US-190 and I-35 are the primary corridors; the county includes Belton (seat), Killeen (largest city), Temple, Harker Heights, and other communities as part of the Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood metro area
Transit: Confirm current regional transit options directly with the county, as this search did not confirm a single county-wide system, though Killeen and Temple each operate their own city transit
Notes: 911 addressing for the county is handled by the Central Texas Council of Governments (CTCOG), (254) 770-2380, [email protected] – not the county directly.
Business & Permits
BUILDING & PERMITS
Genuinely important fact: Bell County does NOT require building permits and has NO zoning in unincorporated areas of the county. If you are building outside any city limits in Bell County, there is no county building permit, building code, or zoning requirement to comply with.
Septic (OSSF): The Bell County Public Health District enforces rules on-site sewage systems – size, location, and distance from property lines, wells, and public water lines. When applying for an OSSF permit, you’ll complete a Flood Plain Exemption Certificate, which the Health District forwards to the County Engineer’s Office to confirm the site isn’t in a floodplain.
Floodplain: County Engineer’s Office, 206 N. Main, Belton, TX 76513 – the designated floodplain administrator for unincorporated Bell County; floodplain permitting within incorporated cities is handled by those cities directly
Within cities: Contact the relevant city’s Development Office for building permits, zoning, site plans, and floodplain review inside municipal limits (Belton, Killeen, Temple, Harker Heights, etc. each handle their own)
Notes: This “no permit, no zoning” fact for unincorporated Bell County is exactly the kind of concrete, actionable, easily-misunderstood detail worth stating plainly rather than assuming a standard permit process applies everywhere.
Services: VA and Texas Veterans Commission benefits assistance, claims help, and a grant-funded Emergency Hardship Financial Assistance program for eligible veterans and surviving spouses/dependents (appointment required)
DD214 Records: Certified copies available free through the Bell County Clerk’s Office, (254) 933-5165, if registered
VA Medical: Olin E. Teague Veterans’ Medical Center serves the region
State VSO: Texas Veterans Commission – tvc.texas.gov
Libraries
LIBRARIES
Belton (Lena Armstrong) Public Library – 301 East 1st Avenue, Belton, TX 76513 | (254) 933-5830; offers TexShare Databases access and a Belton Newspaper Archive for local history/genealogy research
Notes: Other cities in the county (Killeen, Temple, Harker Heights) operate their own separate library systems – check the relevant city for a library serving that specific community.
Parks & Recreation
PARKS & RECREATION
Key Assets: Belton Lake and Stillhouse Hollow Lake, both U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoirs on the Leon and Lampasas Rivers respectively, popular for boating and recreational fishing (Stillhouse Hollow covers roughly 6,429 surface acres); the Bell County Courthouse (1884), a National Register of Historic Places building in downtown Belton; Fort Cavazos, one of the largest military installations in the world, a defining feature of the county’s economy and community
Notes: Stillhouse Hollow hit its lowest recorded lake level in 2011 during an extraordinary Central Texas drought – a reminder that lake levels here can vary significantly with drought conditions; confirm current conditions before planning a trip.
GIS & Maps
GIS & MAPS
Appraisal/Parcel Search: Tax Appraisal District of Bell County (Bell CAD) – appraises property and collects property taxes for all Bell County taxing units (note: the elected County Tax Assessor-Collector handles vehicle registration but does NOT collect property taxes – that’s Bell CAD’s role, an unusual local workflow worth knowing)
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:45 PM
Animal Services
ANIMAL SERVICES
Facility: Bell County Animal Shelter, a joint effort between the City of Belton and Bell County – (254) 933-6780
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 10:30 AM–3:30 PM; Tuesday and Sunday 12:00 PM–4:00 PM; closed state and federal holidays
Notes: Described as a “limited-kill facility” – the shelter prioritizes finding homes for adoptable animals but does euthanize animals it determines unsuitable for adoption.
Environmental & Waste
ENVIRONMENTAL / WASTE MANAGEMENT
City of Belton: Residential trash pickup weekly, recycling every other week – 100 S. Davis Street, Belton, TX 76513 | (254) 933-5800; bulk drop-off events held at the Public Works facility several times a year; large/heavy items can also be taken to Temple Landfill, 706 Landfill Road, for a fee (safety vest required)
Household Hazardous Waste: Fort Cavazos residents, employees, and family members may use the HHW drop-off center at 37th and North Ave, Building #1348, Monday–Friday 7:30 AM–4:30 PM; Belton, Lampasas County, and Milam County residents may qualify for Waste Management’s “At Your Door” limited hazardous waste pickup service
Notes: Waste services vary significantly by city in a county this large – confirm with your specific city (Killeen, Temple, Harker Heights, etc.) for local trash/recycling arrangements rather than assuming Belton’s rules apply countywide.
NOTES: Bell County is the fifth and final county in this batch (Bandera, Bastrop, Baylor, Bee, Bell). The single most useful, concrete fact in this file is in Section 8: no building permit or zoning requirement exists in unincorporated Bell County – a fact that could easily be misunderstood or assumed otherwise, and is stated plainly per the standard. Fort Cavazos (Fort Hood) is a defining, genuine feature of the county’s identity and emergency-planning scale. All contact information above was sourced via web search as of early August 2026 and should be reconfirmed directly with the relevant office before a visit, deadline-sensitive filing, or emergency-adjacent decision.
About Bell County
Bell County is one of Texas’s fastest-growing mid-size counties and the 193rd most populous in the United States, covering 1,088 square miles of the Central Texas Blackland Prairie between Waco and Austin along I-35.
Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood, renamed in 2023 in honor of General Richard Cavazos, the first Hispanic four-star general in US Army history) is the largest Army post in the United States by land area – covering 339 square miles and home to roughly 35,000 soldiers plus family members. The 1st Cavalry Division and III Armored Corps are headquartered here. Fort Cavazos is Bell County’s largest employer by an enormous margin and defines the economy, demographics, and housing market of Killeen and surrounding communities.
Killeen (population ~153,000) is the county’s largest city – a military community that has grown dramatically with Fort Cavazos and now functions as a regional center with significant retail and healthcare development. The high military population turnover creates perpetual rental demand and a transient residential market.
Temple (population ~82,000) is the county’s medical hub – home to Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Temple, one of the largest not-for-profit hospitals in Texas and a Level I Trauma Center serving a broad Central Texas catchment area. The hospital is Bell County’s second largest employer after Fort Cavazos.
Belton (the county seat, population ~25,000) sits on the shore of Stillhouse Hollow Lake – a Corps of Engineers reservoir that provides recreation and water supply for the region. University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (a Baptist liberal arts university, enrollment ~4,000) anchors Belton’s academic presence.
Waco (in McLennan County) and Austin (90 miles south on I-35) bracket Bell County geographically, making it part of the expanding Austin-Waco growth corridor that has seen significant residential and commercial development in recent years.
All Services
Browse every category and topic available for this county.
Texas appraises all real property at 100% of market value as of January 1 each year. The Bell Central Appraisal District (BCAD) at 411 E. Central Avenue, Belton, TX 76513, phone 254-939-5841, conducts all appraisals for the county.
The protest process: When you receive your Notice of Appraised Value (typically April–May), you have until May 15 (or 30 days after the notice date, whichever is later) to file a protest with the Bell County Appraisal Review Board (ARB). The ARB is an independent panel that hears protests and can reduce your appraised value. If dissatisfied with the ARB’s decision, you may appeal to District Court or through binding arbitration (for properties under $5 million).
Texas homestead exemption: Apply with BCAD for the general residence homestead exemption (reduces taxable value by $100,000 for school taxes under the 2023 law changes), plus any applicable over-65 or disabled exemptions. Military veterans may qualify for significant additional exemptions including 100% exemption for 100% disabled veterans.
Texas has no estate tax and no inheritance tax. Assets pass subject only to federal estate tax above $13.61 million (2025).
OWNWELL CTA: Bell County protest deadline: May 15. Fort Cavazos drives strong rental demand and consistent residential turnover. Veteran exemptions available – 100% disabled veterans exempt from property tax entirely. No TX estate or inheritance tax. Ownwell manages the protest with no upfront cost.
Recommended
Bell County protest deadline: May 15. Fort Cavazos drives strong rental demand and consistent residential turnover. Veteran exemptions available - 100% disabled veterans exempt from property tax entirely. No TX estate or inheritance tax. Ownwell manages the protest with no upfront cost.
Courts & Legal
Courts & Legal
District Court (Probate): Texas probate is handled by the District Court in counties without a statutory probate court. Bell County’s District Courts (264th, 146th, 169th, and 426th) are located at the Bell County Justice Complex, 1201 Huey Drive, Belton, TX 76513, phone 254-933-5197. Probate matters are filed in the district court.
County Clerk: The Bell County Clerk at 550 E. 2nd Avenue, Belton, TX 76513, phone 254-933-5160, maintains real property records (deeds, deeds of trust, liens), probate records, and marriage licenses. Land records searchable online.
Senior Services
The Bell County Area Agency on Aging and Central Texas Council of Governments at 2180 N. Main Street, Belton, TX 76513, phone 254-770-2200, serve the county’s senior population with in-home services, caregiver support, nutrition programs, and transportation coordination. Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Temple provides significant geriatric care. The Veterans Affairs Central Texas Health Care System in Temple serves the county’s large veteran population.
Recommended
Assisted living, memory care, and independent living across Bell County - from Killeen and Temple to Belton, Harker Heights, and the lake communities.
Marriage & Vital Records
Marriage licenses, divorce records, and birth & death certificates are handled by the following office(s):
COUNTY CLERK
101 East Central Ave, Belton, TX 76513
(254) 933-5164
DISTRICT CLERK
101 East Central Ave, Belton, TX 76513
(254) 933-5171
Genealogy
County-level record sources
Bell County Probate Court, Belton (probate/estate case files – see Probate section above).
Local societies
No dedicated Bell County genealogical society was confirmed in available directories.
Probate & Estate
Losing someone and having to deal with courts and paperwork at the same time is hard. This section won’t make that easier, but it should tell you what to expect, what it costs, and where to go – so at least you’re not walking in blind.
Where to go
Probate Court, Bell County 1201 Huey Road, Belton, TX 76513 (254) 933-5169 Bell County is in Central Texas, seated in Belton, home to Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood).
Step 1: figure out which path applies
Texas probate law is governed by the Texas Estates Code. Probate jurisdiction in Texas is split between statutory probate courts (in larger metro counties) and county courts (in smaller counties, sometimes assisted by district courts). In Bell County, a dedicated Probate Court/County Court at Law handles probate matters.
Small Estate Affidavit (Tex. Est. Code § 205.001) – available ONLY when the decedent died WITHOUT a will (intestate), the estate (excluding homestead and exempt property) does not exceed $75,000, and assets exceed debts. At least 30 days must have passed since death. The affidavit must list every asset and debt, establish the family history showing who the heirs are, and be sworn to by the heirs and two disinterested witnesses; a judge then reviews and approves it under § 205.003.
Independent Administration – used when a will exists (or all heirs agree) and the estate has debts; minimal court supervision after the executor is appointed. This is the most common and efficient path in Texas when available.
Muniment of Title – available when a valid will exists, there are no unsecured debts (other than a mortgage), and there’s no other need for a full administration; transfers title without appointing an executor.
Dependent Administration – required for complex, contested, or disputed estates; involves ongoing court supervision and approval of most actions.
Step 2: filing for administration
The personal representative (or an interested party) files an Application for Probate of Will and Issuance of Letters Testamentary (or Letters of Administration, if intestate) with the Bell County probate court.
The original will (if one exists), a certified death certificate, and information about heirs and the proposed executor are included with the application.
The court holds a hearing and issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration.
The personal representative publishes notice to creditors and gathers, inventories, and appraises the estate’s assets.
The personal representative pays valid debts and expenses.
Remaining assets are distributed to beneficiaries or heirs, and the estate is closed.
What it costs
Filing fees in Texas typically run $250–$400 depending on the county; confirm current Bell County fees directly.
Texas law allows a statutory executor fee of 5% of all sums actually received and paid out in cash, with specific exceptions. The court may also approve reasonable attorney fees paid from the estate.
Small estate affidavits typically cost $600–$1,900 total when factoring in filing and related fees.
Texas does NOT impose a state estate tax or a state inheritance tax. Only the federal estate tax may apply, and only to very large estates.
Probate filings, estate administration, and guardianship matters are handled by the following office(s):
Public Safety & Arrests
Arrest records, inmate search, and law enforcement services are handled by the following office(s):
SHERIFF
1601 East Loop 121, Belton, TX 76513
(254) 933-5412
Elections & Voting
Voter registration, polling locations, and elections information are handled by the following office(s):
ELECTIONS
505 East Central Ave, Belton, TX 76513
(254) 933-5195
Health & Human Services
Offices & Contacts
Health services, social services, and assistance programs are handled by the following office(s):
Public Health District
201 East Central Ave, Belton, TX 76513
(254) 778-4004
HHSC Office
3305 South WS Young Dr, Killeen, TX 76542
(254) 519-3000
Public Health Information
PUBLIC HEALTH
Office: Bell County Public Health District (BCPHD) – bellcountypublichealth.org; handles environmental services (including OSSF/septic permits), food protection/food service inspections and health cards, home health coordination, and community education
Notes: This is a genuine standalone county public health district, distinct from many of the smaller counties covered earlier in this project.
Editorial independence: CountyOffices maintains strict editorial independence from our affiliate partners. Our content is researched from official government sources. Affiliate relationships do not influence our recommendations or the information we publish.
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