Bailey County
TX · Pop. 7,044 · Rural County
Bailey County sits in Texas across 827 square miles, home to 7,044 people at 8.5 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, cotton, wheat. A median home price of $104,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.47% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 185-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.4°F and average winter lows of 22.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 18.6 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Muleshoe Area Medical Center is 12.1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 100% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 185-day growing season in USDA zone 7a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $104,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A strong agricultural economy built on hay, cotton, wheat means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 8.5 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- Annual rainfall of just 18.6 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.47% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
At a glance
Bailey County, TX is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 57/100
- Median home price
- $104k
- Property tax
- 1.47%
- Growing season
- 185 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 18.6"
- Broadband
- 100%
- Nearest hospital
- Muleshoe Area Medical Center, 12.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Bailey County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Bailey County?
- Bailey County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 185-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.4°F, and average winter lows of 22.6°F. The established crops are hay, cotton, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $104,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.47%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Muleshoe Area Medical Center is 12.1 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Texas Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Texas
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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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