Fayette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 24,435. Its county seat is La Grange. The county was created in 1837 and organized the next year. Fayette County was settled by German and Czech emigrants in the mid 1830's. The county lies in the Texas German belt, a fragmented belt of German towns throughout central Texas.
History
Fayette County was established in 1837 from land given by Bastrop and Colorado Counties. It is named for the Marquis de Lafayette, a French nobleman who became an American Revolutionary War hero.
An early resident of Brazoria County and then Fayette County, Joel Walter Robison fought in the Texas Revolution and served in the Texas House of Representatives.
More than a dozen historic properties are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Fayette County.
Fayette County is the location of the real Chicken Ranch, which was the basis of the musical play and feature film The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which (1.0%) are covered by water.
Adjacent counties
- Lee County (north)
- Washington County (northeast)
- Austin County (east)
- Colorado County (southeast)
- Lavaca County (south)
- Gonzales County (southwest)
- Caldwell County (west)
- Bastrop County (northwest)
thumb|Atrium in Courthouse
thumb|Back of Courthouse
thumb|Old County Jail