Llano is a city in Llano County, Texas, situated on the Llano River in the eastern Edwards Plateau, the rugged, granite-studded heart of the Texas Hill Country. It serves as the county seat of Llano County, which was established in 1856 and named for the river that drains much of its 941 square miles into the Colorado River. The city's 2020 population was 3,325, while the surrounding county was home to about 21,243 people. The region is best known as the Deer Capital of Texas, a title reflecting one of the highest densities of white-tailed deer in the United States. Hunting has long been a cornerstone of the local economy and culture, drawing sportsmen from across the state each season. Alongside hunting, Llano's economy has historically rested on farming, ranching, and a renowned granite industry: the area's pink granite was quarried locally and used in prominent Texas buildings, including the Llano County Courthouse completed in 1893 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Llano's downtown retains the character of its frontier past, centered on the courthouse square and punctuated by landmarks such as the Badu Building and the historic Red Top Jail. The Llano River, with its clear, spring-fed flows, has made the town a regional destination for fishing, kayaking, tubing, and swimming, and the surrounding Hill Country offers scenic drives, birding, and stargazing. Today Llano balances its ranching and hunting heritage with a growing appeal to visitors and transplants drawn by Hill Country scenery and outdoor recreation. Its location keeps Austin reachable by car via State Highway 71 while preserving a distinctly rural, small-town identity. For those seeking river access, hunting land, or a quieter base within the Hill Country, Llano offers an authentic, unhurried alternative to the region's faster-growing cities.