Mico is a small, unincorporated lakeside community in northeastern Medina County, Texas, on the eastern shore of Medina Lake just east of the lake's main dam. Its name is an acronym for the Medina Irrigation Company, the enterprise that helped bring the reservoir and its irrigation system into being in the early 20th century. The community was briefly renamed Medina Lake in 1916 before reverting to Mico in 1923. Mico is defined almost entirely by the lake. It developed as a fishing resort and weekend destination, and today it remains a collection of lake houses, vacation homes, and year-round residences clustered along County Road 271 and Farm to Market Road 1283. Local marinas, boat ramps, and small bars and cafes cater to anglers, boaters, and day-trippers from San Antonio, which lies roughly 30 miles to the southeast. The community is unincorporated, with a volunteer fire department and an informal, council-manager style structure for local affairs rather than a municipal government. Students attend the Medina Valley Independent School District, based in nearby Castroville, which serves much of Medina County. Recreation revolves around the water — fishing, boating, and lakeside living — and the surrounding Hill Country offers hunting, hiking, and rural open space. Medina Lake's water levels can fluctuate with drought and irrigation demand, a reality of life for a reservoir built for agriculture. The area's ranchland, oak-and-juniper hills, and long lake views give Mico a distinctly Hill Country character, and the nearby communities of Lakehills and Castroville provide everyday services. For those drawn to lake life within an easy drive of San Antonio, Mico offers a quiet, water-oriented way of living on one of the Texas Hill Country's principal reservoirs.