Lake Country County Seat
About Emory, TX
Welcome to Emory, the Rains County seat in East Texas set between Lake Fork and Lake Tawakoni at the crossroads of U.S. 69 and State Highway 19.
Emory is a small city in and the county seat of Rains County, in East Texas, about 70 miles east of Dallas and northeast of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. It was originally known as Springville and was renamed for Emory Rains, an early Texas state legislator, along with the county itself. With a population of roughly 1,250, it is the county's largest town and its center of government, commerce, and education. The city sits at the junction of U.S. Highway 69 and State Highway 19, and its location is defined by water. Lake Fork lies just to the east and Lake Tawakoni to the west, two of East Texas's best-known reservoirs. Lake Fork is legendary among anglers as a trophy largemouth bass destination, while Lake Tawakoni is prized for its striped and hybrid striped bass, boating, and shoreline recreation. That lake-country setting shapes the local economy — tourism, fishing, and lake-area real estate join ranching and small-town services as mainstays. Emory's downtown is anchored by the Rains County Courthouse, and the community is served by Rains Independent School District, which draws students from across the county, including the nearby communities of Point and East Tawakoni. Daily life centers on schools, churches, and the outdoors, with boat ramps, marinas, and lakeside communities minutes from town. Emory suits people who want a quiet, affordable East Texas base with direct access to lake recreation and a reasonable drive to the Dallas area. Housing includes older in-town homes, newer subdivisions, and a range of lake-adjacent and acreage properties in the surrounding countryside, giving buyers options from full-time residences to weekend lake retreats.
Frequently Asked Questions
What county is Emory in?
Emory is the county seat of Rains County, in East Texas. Both the city and county are named for Emory Rains, an early Texas state legislator. The town was previously known as Springville before taking the Rains name.
What lakes are near Emory?
Emory sits between two major East Texas reservoirs: Lake Fork to the east, famous for trophy largemouth bass fishing, and Lake Tawakoni to the west, known for striped and hybrid striped bass, boating, and shoreline recreation. Both are minutes from town.
What school district serves Emory?
Emory is served by Rains Independent School District, which enrolls roughly 1,700 students across about four schools and serves most of Rains County, including Point and East Tawakoni. The district's campuses are centered in and around Emory.
How far is Emory from Dallas?
Emory is about 70 miles east of Dallas, reachable via the regional highway network from U.S. 69 and State Highway 19. Tyler lies roughly 30 miles to the southeast, putting Emory within reach of both the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and East Texas's larger towns.
What is Emory known for?
Emory is known as the Rains County seat and a gateway to two of East Texas's top fishing lakes, Lake Fork and Lake Tawakoni. Its location between the two reservoirs makes it a base for anglers, boaters, and lake-area residents and visitors.
City Guide
About Emory
Real Estate & Housing
Emory's housing stock mixes older in-town homes near the courthouse with newer subdivisions and a broad supply of rural and lake-area properties. In town, buyers find modest single-family homes, many mid-century and later, on tree-lined streets. The surrounding Rains County countryside offers acreage, ranchettes, and farmsteads, while the Lake Fork and Lake Tawakoni shorelines hold waterfront homes, lake-view lots, and cabin-style retreats. The market tends toward affordability compared with the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, attracting both year-round residents and those seeking a lake getaway.
Neighborhoods
Emory is a compact town whose neighborhoods cluster around the courthouse square, the school campuses, and the U.S. 69 corridor. Older, tree-shaded streets near downtown hold the city's established homes, while newer subdivisions have added housing on the town's edges. Beyond the limits, residential development follows the highways toward Lake Fork and Lake Tawakoni, where waterfront communities, lake lots, and acreage dominate. The result is a small-town core ringed by rural and lakeside living.
Lifestyle in Emory
Life in Emory revolves around the lakes and small-town East Texas rhythms. Fishing tournaments, boating weekends, and lakeside gatherings set the pace, and Lake Fork's reputation as a trophy bass destination brings anglers to the area year-round. The county courthouse, schools, churches, and local cafés anchor daily life, and community events draw neighbors from across Rains County. It is a relaxed, outdoors-oriented community where many residents live within minutes of a boat ramp or marina, yet remain within driving distance of the Dallas area.
Schools & Education
Public education in Emory is provided by Rains Independent School District, which serves most of Rains County — including Emory, Point, and East Tawakoni — with about four schools and roughly 1,700 students. The district operates elementary, middle, and high school campuses in and around Emory. Its size keeps schools closely tied to the community, and athletics and extracurricular programs are central to local life. Higher education is available within the broader East Texas region and the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
Getting Around
Emory sits at the junction of U.S. Highway 69 and State Highway 19, the primary routes through Rains County. Dallas lies about 70 miles to the west, reachable via the highway network, and Tyler is roughly 30 miles to the southeast. The location places Emory within a convenient drive of both the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and East Texas's larger towns, while local roads connect the city to Lake Fork, Lake Tawakoni, and the surrounding lake communities.
Parks & Recreation
Recreation in Emory is dominated by its two lakes. Lake Fork, to the east, is among Texas's most famous trophy largemouth bass fisheries, while Lake Tawakoni, to the west, offers more than 37,000 acres for boating, striped and hybrid striped bass fishing, and waterfront recreation. Boat ramps, marinas, and fishing guides serve both lakes, and the surrounding countryside supports hunting and outdoor pursuits. In town, the courthouse square and community events provide a small-town gathering place between outings on the water.
MARKET SNAPSHOT
The Market at a Glance
How homes have been selling here over the last 90 days.
Price & Sales History
Market data reflects closed sales over the last 90 days and is provided for informational purposes.
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Zip Codes
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Browse listings by postal code in this area.
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Owen Real Estate and Property Management, LLC
Lonestar Ranch and Home Sales, LLC
801 Point Run Dr Pflugerville, TX
Yellow House Realty, LLC
2207 E. Hwy 114, Suite A Levelland, TX
Emoni Legacy, LLC
326 Silent Spring Dr. Cedar Park, TX
Regal Crown Realty
238 Somerset St Borger, TX
Luxe Modern Realty
5502 Berget Dr Amarillo, TX
Dallas Hills Real Estate,LLC
405 Allerton Ln Lancaster, TX
Nowlin Realty Group, LLC
2925 Richmond Avenue, Ste. 1200 Houston, TX
Star Spangled Real Estate and Property Management, LLC
14150 Pebble Hills Blvd, Ste B El Paso, TX
Blue Wave Realty, LLC
2 Clam Dr Rockport, TX
YM Realty Group, LLC
2205 Lanshire Dr Mckinney, TX
East Plano Realty, LLC
3817 Cloudcrest Dr Plano, TX
21st Century Realty Group
2231 Laurel Forest Way Houston, TX
Our Texas Real Estate
9702 Oxford Avenue Lubbock, TX
Rafters R Realty, LLC
600 S. Tyler Street, Suite 2100 Amarillo, TX
Acre Investments
9702 Oxford Avenue Lubbock, TX
Vintage Street Real Estate
18449 Cr 2341 Arp, TX
Dietz Real Estate, LLC
4012 Woodrow Rd Lubbock, TX
USA Land and Ranch, LLC
2300 N Western Ste 117 Amarillo, TX
Dream Catchers Realty
2716 South Medford Drive, Suite A Lufkin, TX
RedZone Realty LLC
4819 Big Cedar Cir Missouri City, TX
Mission Valley Realty Group, LLC
1613 N Zaragoza Dr Ste 205 El Paso, TX
Total Property Care, LLC
Cap Rate Real Estate Group LLC
1035 Belvidere St Ste 290 El Paso, TX
Legacy Oak Realty, LLC
11782 Jollyville Rd Ste 209 Austin, TX
Our Texas Real Estate Austin
Our Texas Real Estate Midland
Our Texas Real Estate Hill Country Area
Local Group, LLC
Homegirl Real Estate Consulting, LLC
3015 Wheeling Ave. El Paso, TX 79930
Our Texas Real Estate El Paso
Our Texas Real Estate Frisco/Southlake
Frisco Southlake, TX
Our Texas Real Estate Corpus Christi
Our Texas Real Estate Dallas
4B Real Estate, LLC
Prop, LLC
6510 70th Street Lubbock, TX 79424
