Comal County vs. Collingsworth County
Rivers & Ranches
Comal County and Collingsworth County offer two very different but equally Texan stories. One shaped by fast-growing Hill Country cities and crystal-clear rivers, the other defined by open ranchlands, wind-swept plains, and communities that cherish quiet strength. Comal County, anchored by New Braunfels, Canyon Lake, and the Guadalupe River, is a magnet for families, tourism, and small businesses. Collingsworth County, far away on the rolling High Plains, moves to a steadier rhythm rooted in ranching, agriculture, and generations-old ties to the land. One county is navigating rapid growth; the other is fighting to preserve its population and services. Together they show that Texas succeeds when every community, large or small, has a seat at the table.
Comal County (Approx. 190,000)
Comal is one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States, with New Braunfels frequently ranked among the country’s top boomtowns. The county’s economy is fueled by tourism, healthcare, construction, and a thriving network of local businesses. The Guadalupe and Comal Rivers draw visitors from across Texas, while Canyon Lake anchors outdoor recreation and lake-side neighborhoods. With this rapid growth comes the challenge of managing water resources, transportation, and school crowding, issues Comal residents care deeply about
Collingsworth County (Approx. 2,700)
Home to Wellington and sprawling ranchlands, Collingsworth County embodies rural Texas resilience. Agriculture and cattle operations dominate local life, and residents rely heavily on community connections, volunteer organizations, and small local institutions. Challenges include rural healthcare access, limited economic diversification, and population decline, but the county’s sense of identity remains strong, shaped by ranch culture, wide-open skies, and deep community loyalty.
Why It Matters
These counties illustrate two sides of Texas: one struggling to keep up with breakneck growth, the other fighting to preserve essential services. But the desire for thriving schools, safe roads, and fair representation is the same, proving that policy must reflect local needs.
Why Forward
Forward believes Texas’s future depends on empowering both booming Hill Country communities and sparsely populated ranch counties.
In Comal County, open primaries and Ranked Choice Voting would help elect leaders focused on practical issues linked to growth: water availability, responsible development, road safety, and school capacity. These reforms reward consensus-builders rather than partisan extremes.
In Collingsworth County, those same tools safeguard rural representation and ensure that ranchers, teachers, and small-business owners aren’t overshadowed by larger metropolitan voting blocs. Ranked Choice Voting gives weight to every vote, especially in small communities where elections can be decided by only a handful of ballots.
Forward’s mission to strengthen trust, transparency, and teamwork fits both counties. Whether you live along a riverbank in New Braunfels or on a quiet ranch road outside Wellington, Texans deserve leaders who listen, policies that work, and a political system that values every voice.
Did You Know…
Gruene Hall is Texas’s oldest continuously operating dance hall (1878).
New Braunfels was founded in 1845 by Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels of Germany.
Wellington was once a stop on Bonnie and Clyde’s ill-fated getaway route.
Why Texans Love Living Here
Comal residents love the rivers, the vibrant music and food scene, the schools, and the Hill Country lifestyle. Collingsworth residents love the peace, the stars at night, the deep sense of belonging, and knowing that neighbors look out for one another. Both counties reflect the Texas belief that community is built on connection and character.
Key Events That Bring Neighbors Together
Wurstfest (New Braunfels) - Ten days of German-Texan music, food, and community cheer.
Collingsworth County Pioneer Picnic (Wellington) - Annual summer gathering honoring local families and history.
People & Tech Created This
The profiles and shared challenges were gathered from Texas Forward Party supporters and written using ChatGPT and Gemini models to combine verified public data, official county/state sources, and general knowledge from Texas historical and government records, including:
