Kennard, Texas
Set in the Piney Woods of Houston County, Kennard is a small city about 69 miles south of Tyler, surrounded by the pine forests of East Texas. It lies at the edge of the Davy Crockett National Forest, and its early history was bound to the timber trade, growing up around a large sawmill operation in the early twentieth century. When the surrounding timber was cut over, much of the land was later reforested and folded into the national forest, and nearby Ratcliff Lake remains a draw for camping and fishing.
Place essentials
Official Census snapshot- Census place type
- City
- July 2025 population
- 285
- Change from 2020 base
- +4.8%
- Land area
- 1.3 sq. mi.
- County footprint
- Houston County
Place type, county footprint, and land area use the Census Bureau's January 1, 2025 geography. Population uses Vintage 2025 estimates through July 1, 2025; change compares that estimate with the April 1, 2020 estimates base. Geography file | Population file
Property here runs through the appraisal district and tax office for Houston County. The homestead exemption, appraisal cap, protests, and any MUD, PID, or special districts all sit at the parcel level.
Official routes
Use the office for the parcel address; a mailing city is not always the governing city.
County context
What to know around Kennard
County lines carry much of the property, land, water, and outdoors context around Kennard.
Local History
Why Houston County and Its Seat Are Named What They Are
Houston County was one of the first counties created by the Republic of Texas in 1837, and its seat Crockett was named for the Tennessee frontiersman David Crockett.
Property Tax
Who Sets Your Property Value in Houston County
The Houston County Appraisal District sets property values; a separate tax office collects the bills.
Homestead Exemption
Cut Your Property Tax Bill with a Homestead Exemption
If your Houston County home is your main residence, you may qualify for a homestead exemption that lowers your taxable value.
Nearby
Places near Kennard
Nearby counties
Local notes for nearby counties
Next steps for Kennard
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