Baylor County
TX · Pop. 3,464 · Rural County
Baylor County sits in Texas across 867 square miles, home to 3,464 people at 4 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on wheat, cotton, hay. The median home price is $93,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.25%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 225-day growing season, average summer highs of 94.9°F and average winter lows of 29.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 29 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Seymour Hospital is 3.1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 96.2% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 225-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $93,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 96.2% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Seymour Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 3.1 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- At 4 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.
- A poverty rate of 20.8% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
Baylor County, TX is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 81/100
- Median home price
- $93k
- Property tax
- 1.25%
- Growing season
- 225 days (zone 8a)
- Annual rainfall
- 29"
- Broadband
- 96.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Seymour Hospital, 3.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Baylor County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Baylor County?
- Baylor County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 225-day growing season, average summer highs of 94.9°F, and average winter lows of 29.7°F. The established crops are wheat, cotton, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $93,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.25%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 96.2% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Seymour Hospital is 3.1 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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The closest counties to Baylor 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.