RAINS COUNTY
County Offices
220 W. Quitman Street
Emory 903-474-9999
https://www.co.rains.tx.us/
Chamber of Commerce
410 Tawakoni Drive
Emory 903-473-3913
http://rainschamber.com/
Services
Distinguished as the “Eagle Capital of Texas,” panoramic Rains County is located 65 miles east of the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex midway between Interstates 20 and 30. Area youth receive a quality education in a state “Recognized” district with a countywide campus located near the City of Emory. Regional growth has spurred the construction of a new high school, evidence of the commitment to expanding services. A number of vocational schools, colleges, and universities are available within a 35 to 60-mile radius of Rains County, including Southwest Christian College in Terrell, Texas A&M University in Commerce, Collin County Community College in Plano, Tyler Junior College and the University of Texas at Tyler, Paris Junior College in Paris, and a number of Dallas area institutions.
Major healthcare institutions are available in several neighboring counties including Hopkins and Hunt Counties. Presbyterian Hospital of Greenville in Hunt County provides state-of-the-art facilities and services from a 24-hour emergency room to a birthing center and intensive care unit. Hopkins County Memorial Hospital is staffed by more than 40 physicians who represent a wide spectrum of general and specialized care. The hospital also provides hospice service to a regional population that includes Rains County. Supportive facilities include the Presbyterian Medical Plaza in southern Hunt County, home health, cardiac rehabilitation, a surgery center, transitional care, sleep disorder clinic, and wound care.
Lifestyle
One of the smallest of the counties in Texas, Rains County excels in offering a quality of life based on rural pleasures and metropolitan access. The slower pace of country living is equally ideal for raising families and enjoying retirement. U.S. Highway 69 and State Highway 19 intersect in the county to provide links to major thoroughfares and Interstates throughout the Metroplex. Major recreational destinations border the county, with Lake Fork to the east and Lake Tawakoni to the west. Both lakes represent an angler’s paradise, with Lake Fork producing 36 of the state’s top 50 bass. Boating, fishing, camping, swimming, water sports, hiking, biking camping, horseback riding, and bird watching are all popular outdoor activities. Winter months see an influx of American Bald Eagles and other rare birds to the lakefront areas.
Community spirit is strong throughout Rains County, evidenced in the number of school and church activities as well as the festivals and seasonal celebrations. Eagle Fest, the Rains County Fair, the holiday parade and Christmas around the Square, Founder’s Day, Tamale Fest, and a chamber-sponsored golf tournament are among the popular events. Energetic and committed civic and social organizations add to the quality of life, forming a strong influence on progressive communities that preserve family values. Rapid growth is attracting new business and industry to the county, expanding local services and opening the door for local employment. Housing choices in this area range from modest older homes to spectacular residential enclaves like Green Tree Estates where lots from one to ten acres offer woodland seclusion or waterfront vistas.
Emory
City Hall
903-473-2465
https://www.cityofemory.com/
Chamber of Commerce
903-473-3913
http://rainschamber.com/
The county seat and leading City of Emory is located 63 miles east of Dallas, providing a reasonable commute to the established cities of Greenville, Sulphur Springs, and Tyler. Growth and development of this area began in earnest in the late 1950s, when nearby Lake Tawakoni was formed and Rains County began attracting a significant retiree population. Once the secret of a Rains County lifestyle became more widely spread, young professionals and families began moving into this area of natural beauty and small-town serenity. Recreational tourism and agriculture still serve as the basis for the town’s economy. The city is attracting interest from businesses, industries, and commercial enterprises that recognize the value and promise of a growing community near the dynamic Metroplex that excels in quality of life and recreational amenities.
