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Harper is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Gillespie County, Texas, in the heart of the Hill Country about 23 miles west of Fredericksburg on U.S. Highway 290. The 2020 census counted 1,332 residents. At an elevation of roughly 2,100 feet, Harper sits on the western edge of Gillespie County near the headwaters of the Pedernales River, a landscape of rolling limestone hills, live oaks, and ranchland. The area was settled beginning in 1863, when the Matthew Taylor and Eli McDonald families arrived, and the community's early years reflect the Hill Country's frontier history, including the 1864 McDonald massacre commemorated by a local historical marker. Ranching and farming shaped Harper's development, and the town remains a small, close-knit agricultural community today. Harper ISD anchors the community, serving about 590 students across elementary, middle, and high school campuses — a compact district that keeps local children close to home from pre-kindergarten through graduation. The school district is a central part of the community's identity. Life in Harper is quiet and rural. Daily errands and larger shopping are typically made in Fredericksburg to the east, Kerrville to the south, or Junction to the west, while the community itself offers the essentials. The surrounding Hill Country supports hunting, ranching, and outdoor recreation, and the Pedernales River's headwaters run through the area. The town's position on U.S. 290 places it along one of the Hill Country's main travel corridors, giving residents access to the region while preserving the community's unincorporated, small-town character. For residents and buyers, Harper offers Hill Country acreage, a small-school environment, and a genuine rural pace within about a half-hour of Fredericksburg's amenities and the region's growing tourism economy.

Population 1,332

County Gillespie

Active Listings 494

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Frequently Asked Questions

What county is Harper in?

Harper is in Gillespie County, Texas, in the Texas Hill Country. The community sits on the western edge of the county, about 23 miles west of the city of Fredericksburg along U.S. Highway 290.

How far is Harper from Fredericksburg?

Harper is about 23 miles west of Fredericksburg along U.S. Highway 290, typically a 25- to 30-minute drive to the east. Kerrville lies to the south and Junction to the west.

What school district serves Harper?

Harper is served by Harper Independent School District, which operates three campuses — an elementary school, a middle school, and a high school — enrolling roughly 590 students from the community and the surrounding Gillespie County area.

Is Harper an incorporated city?

Harper is an unincorporated community and census-designated place, not an incorporated city or town. It lies in Gillespie County, Texas, with local government and public services provided by the county.

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