Bexar County City on the Medina River
Welcome to Von Ormy, a small Bexar County city on the Medina River about 16 miles southwest of downtown San Antonio, known for its rural setting and its elimination of the municipal property tax.
Von Ormy is a small city in southwest Bexar County, Texas, set along the Medina River roughly 16 miles southwest of downtown San Antonio. With a population of about 1,250, it is a compact residential community of approximately 1.9 square miles that incorporated in 2008, making it one of Bexar County's newer municipalities. The area's history runs far deeper than its incorporation. Human settlement along the Medina River dates back thousands of years, and the site was known as Medina Crossing before postmaster Branson Bywater renamed it Von Ormy in 1886 for Count Norbert von Ormay, an Austrian nobleman who lived in the area. During the Texas Revolution, the location served as a campsite for Santa Anna's army, and in 1906 the International-Great Northern Railroad built the first steel bridge over the Medina River here. Ruins of the historic Santisima Trinidad Mission remain visible today. Modern Von Ormy is primarily a residential and commuter community. Most residents work in the San Antonio area, traveling along Interstate 35, which runs through the city with exits at 140 and 141. The city has drawn statewide attention for its decision to phase out and eventually abolish its municipal property tax, becoming a benchmark for local tax and limited-government policy in Texas. That reputation, combined with the Medina River setting and small-town scale, gives Von Ormy a distinctive identity among the communities at the southern edge of Bexar County. It appeals to residents who want a quieter, more independent place to live without giving up the employment, shopping, and cultural reach of San Antonio just up the highway.
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Housing in Von Ormy is a mix of older small-town homes, newer single-family subdivisions, and larger rural parcels near the Medina River. The city's roughly 1.9-square-mile footprint keeps it compact, while surrounding unincorporated land offers acreage for those wanting more space. As a low-tax, limited-government community that eliminated its municipal property tax, Von Ormy attracts buyers seeking a more independent, small-town setting within commuting distance of San Antonio.
Von Ormy is small enough that it functions as a single close-knit community rather than a collection of distinct neighborhoods. Development clusters near Interstate 35 and along the Medina River corridor, with newer residential subdivisions sitting alongside older ranch-style properties and historic sites. Neighboring areas such as the Enclave at Medina and the broader far-south San Antonio corridor provide additional housing options just beyond the city limits.
Life in Von Ormy is quiet and small-town, oriented around the Medina River and easy access to San Antonio. The city's low-tax, limited-government approach is a point of local pride and has made it a recurring case study in Texas municipal policy. Residents value the rural character, open space, and relative independence while relying on nearby San Antonio for employment, shopping, dining, and entertainment.
Public school attendance in the Von Ormy area is split among several districts. Most students fall within the Southwest Independent School District, while parts of the area are served by the Somerset Independent School District, and households near the Medina County line may attend Lytle Independent School District. Families moving to Von Ormy should confirm school assignments with the districts directly, as boundaries vary by street and subdivision.
Von Ormy sits directly on Interstate 35, with access at exits 140 and 141, placing downtown San Antonio about 15 to 16 miles to the northeast and Laredo roughly 143 miles to the southwest. State Highway 1604, San Antonio's outer loop, intersects I-35 nearby and provides connections around the metro. Most residents commute by car, and the city's position at the southern edge of Bexar County keeps regional employment centers within a reasonable drive.
The Medina River is Von Ormy's defining natural feature, and its banks hold centuries of history, including the ruins of the Santisima Trinidad Mission and the site of the area's first steel railroad bridge. The city's rural surroundings offer open space and a slower pace, while San Antonio's parks, missions, and cultural attractions sit a short drive north along I-35. Historic sites tied to the Texas Revolution and the community's frontier past give the area a distinctive sense of place.
About Von Ormy
Von Ormy is in Bexar County, Texas, roughly 16 miles southwest of downtown San Antonio. It lies along Interstate 35 and the Medina River near the county's southern edge, just beyond the San Antonio city limits.
Downtown San Antonio is about 15 to 16 miles northeast of Von Ormy via Interstate 35, a drive of roughly 20 to 30 minutes. Laredo is roughly 143 miles to the southwest along the same highway.
Von Ormy is served by several districts depending on location: the Southwest Independent School District, the Somerset Independent School District, and, near the Medina County line, the Lytle Independent School District. Families should verify boundaries with the districts.
No. Von Ormy phased out and eliminated its municipal property tax, becoming a noted example of local tax reform in Bexar County and Texas. County and school district taxes still apply.
Von Ormy incorporated as a city on May 30, 2008. The community itself is much older: it was known as Medina Crossing before being renamed Von Ormy in 1886 for Count Norbert von Ormay, an Austrian nobleman who lived in the area.
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