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Payne Springs is a small town on the east side of Cedar Creek Lake in Henderson County, East Texas. The community traces its name to William K. Payne, a Confederate veteran who settled in the area around 1850, and it today operates as a Type A General Law municipality with a mayor and city council. The 2020 census counted 741 residents, down slightly from 767 in 2010. Cedar Creek Lake defines the town's setting and its appeal. Payne Springs occupies roughly 2.1 square miles with a mix of lakefront, off-lake residential, agricultural, and small business areas. The shoreline gives the community a resort-flavored, recreational character distinct from inland East Texas farm towns, while the surrounding countryside keeps it unmistakably rural. Lakefront homes and lots face the water, while the interior of town holds more modest residential and agricultural parcels. The town sits within a cluster of small lake-area communities that includes Enchanted Oaks, Eustace, Caney City, Gun Barrel City, Seven Points, and Mabank. Together they form the Cedar Creek Lake area, one of North and East Texas's established lake-country destinations, drawing anglers, boaters, and seasonal visitors throughout the year. Mabank, a short drive south on State Highway 198, serves as the area's principal commercial hub. Payne Springs suits buyers seeking waterfront or near-water property, a slower pace, and fishing and boating access without leaving a functioning small town. It works equally well as a full-time home base or a weekend lake retreat, given its reach from the Dallas-Fort Worth area to the west. The town's rural setting and lakeside orientation give it a relaxed, outdoors-first character that distinguishes it from the region's inland farm communities.

Population 741

County Henderson

Active Listings 45

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Frequently Asked Questions

What county is Payne Springs in?

Payne Springs is in Henderson County, in East Texas. The town sits on the east side of Cedar Creek Lake, a short drive from Mabank, Gun Barrel City, and other communities around the lake.

What lake is Payne Springs on?

Payne Springs is located on the east side of Cedar Creek Lake, one of East Texas's largest reservoirs. The lake supports boating, fishing, and other waterfront recreation directly from the town's shoreline.

What school districts serve Payne Springs?

Payne Springs is served by two school districts. Most residents attend the Mabank Independent School District, while some areas of town fall within the Eustace Independent School District, so assignment depends on the specific property address.

How big is Payne Springs?

The 2020 census recorded 741 residents in Payne Springs, and the town covers roughly 2.1 square miles. Its footprint mixes lakefront homes, off-lake residential lots, and agricultural land on the lake's east side.

City Guide

About Payne Springs

Real Estate & Housing

Housing in Payne Springs spans lakefront homes and off-lake residential properties, along with agricultural tracts and a limited amount of small business property. The town's roughly two square miles hold a varied, low-density mix rather than large master-planned subdivisions. Lakefront parcels and homes are the defining feature, oriented toward Cedar Creek Lake views and water access, while off-lake lots offer more modest single-family and rural acreage. The overall character is that of an established lake-country community built over decades rather than a single developer's project.

Neighborhoods

Lifestyle in Payne Springs

Payne Springs blends small-town living with a lakeside, recreational pace. Daily needs are met in nearby Mabank and Gun Barrel City, while the lake itself supplies much of the area's social and leisure life. The cluster of small communities around Cedar Creek Lake gives residents a shared regional identity built on the water, with marinas, boat ramps, and waterfront gathering spots close at hand. For buyers who want lake access and a relaxed East Texas rhythm rather than subdivision density, Payne Springs offers a practical, established home base.

Schools & Education

Public school students in Payne Springs are split between two districts. Most residents attend the Mabank Independent School District, while some areas of town fall within the Eustace Independent School District. Both are established districts serving the Cedar Creek Lake region. Families considering a specific property should confirm district boundaries by address, since the town's split coverage means school assignment depends on location within Payne Springs.

Getting Around

Payne Springs is reached by State Highway 198, which runs along the east side of Cedar Creek Lake and through the town, with Mabank a short distance to the south. Mabank sits on U.S. Highway 175, the principal route through the lake region that connects southwest toward the Dallas area and southeast toward Athens. Beyond the state corridors, rural county roads serve the lakefront and countryside. The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex lies to the west within regional driving range, making Payne Springs workable as a lake retreat or a quieter full-time home base.

Parks & Recreation

Cedar Creek Lake is the center of recreation in Payne Springs, offering boating, fishing, and waterfront activities directly from the town's east-shore setting. The lake is one of East Texas's best-known reservoirs and draws anglers, boaters, and seasonal visitors across the region. Inland, the rolling East Texas countryside provides hunting, riding, and outdoor space. A short drive away, Canton hosts the long-running First Monday Trade Days, one of the largest outdoor markets in the state, giving the area a well-known regional attraction beyond the shoreline.

MARKET SNAPSHOT

The Market at a Glance

How homes have been selling here over the last 90 days.

home_work New This Week 2

Went Under Contract 0

trending_down Price Reductions 0

payments Median Sale Price $224,990 +2.3%

square_foot Price per Sq Ft $192

schedule Avg Days on Market 92

sell Homes Sold 5

percent Sale-to-List Ratio 100.0%

inventory_2 Months of Inventory 9.5

Price & Sales History

Market data reflects closed sales over the last 90 days and is provided for informational purposes.

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