Bandera is a city and the county seat of Bandera County, Texas, in the heart of the Texas Hill Country on the Edwards Plateau. With a 2020 census population of 829, it is a small community with an outsized reputation: the town has long branded itself the 'Cowboy Capital of the World.' That identity is rooted in the late 1800s, when cattle herds from South Texas gathered around Bandera before heading north on the Western Trail, and in the early 20th century, when area ranchers began welcoming guests and established the town as a Western resort destination. The Medina River runs through the area, and its clear, spring-fed waters, along with nearby Medina Lake, have shaped both recreation and the landscape. Because railroads and major highways bypassed rugged Bandera County, the surrounding countryside remained open and rural, which helped preserve the ranching heritage and scenic character that define the region today. Bandera County is part of the San Antonio–New Braunfels metropolitan statistical area, linking the community to one of Texas's largest urban centers. Life in Bandera centers on Western traditions. Main Street is lined with shops selling cowboy boots, Western wear, and antiques, and the town's dance halls and honky-tonks host live country music. Working ranches and guest ranches offer horseback riding and ranch experiences, and rodeos keep the cowboy culture current. Public schools fall under Bandera Independent School District, and parks along the Medina River and Medina Lake provide recreation throughout the year. Housing in and around Bandera spans in-town residences near the Medina River, small Hill Country subdivisions, and larger ranch and acreage properties on the outskirts. That range supports both full-time residents and those drawn to the area for a rural weekend retreat, all within commuting distance of San Antonio.