Austin County
TX · Pop. 30,712 · Suburban County
Austin County, Texas covers 646 square miles with a population of 30,712 and a density of 47.5 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, corn. A median home price of $271,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.28% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 288-day growing season, average summer highs of 92.8°F and average winter lows of 41.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 41.8 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Bellville Medical Center is 4.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 94.2% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 288-day growing season in USDA zone 9a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- Broadband reaches 94.2% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Bellville Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 4.3 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.9% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- Wildfire risk is high, so defensible space and fire preparedness should be part of any build plan.
At a glance
Austin County, TX is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 62/100
- Median home price
- $271k
- Property tax
- 1.28%
- Growing season
- 288 days (zone 9a)
- Annual rainfall
- 41.8"
- Broadband
- 94.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Bellville Medical Center, 4.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Austin County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Austin County?
- Austin County is in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 288-day growing season, average summer highs of 92.8°F, and average winter lows of 41.5°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $271,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.28%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 94.2% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Bellville Medical Center is 4.3 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
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More counties in Texas
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The closest counties to Austin County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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