Bastrop County
TX · Pop. 102,370 · Mixed County
Bastrop County, Texas covers 888 square miles with a population of 102,370 and a density of 115.3 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, melons. A median home price of $270,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.51% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 266-day growing season, average summer highs of 94.9°F and average winter lows of 39.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 37.6 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Ascension Seton Smithville is 12.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 92.8% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 266-day growing season in USDA zone 9a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- Broadband reaches 92.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.7% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.51% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
At a glance
Bastrop County, TX is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 34/100
- Median home price
- $270k
- Property tax
- 1.51%
- Growing season
- 266 days (zone 9a)
- Annual rainfall
- 37.6"
- Broadband
- 92.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Ascension Seton Smithville, 12.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Bastrop County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Bastrop County?
- Bastrop County is in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 266-day growing season, average summer highs of 94.9°F, and average winter lows of 39.1°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, melons.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $270,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.51%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 92.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Ascension Seton Smithville is 12.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
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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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