Bell County
TX · Pop. 379,811 · Mixed County
Bell County, Texas covers 1,054 square miles with a population of 379,811 and a density of 360.4 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, hay, wheat. A median home price of $221,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.54% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 261-day growing season, average summer highs of 94.4°F and average winter lows of 37.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 36.8 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Baylor Scott and White Medical Center - Temple is 7.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.2% 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 261-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- Broadband reaches 99.2% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Baylor Scott and White Medical Center - Temple, with an emergency room, is just 7.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on corn, hay, wheat means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
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 1.54% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
At a glance
Bell County, TX is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 38/100
- Median home price
- $221k
- Property tax
- 1.54%
- Growing season
- 261 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 36.8"
- Broadband
- 99.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Baylor Scott and White Medical Center - Temple, 7.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Bell County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Bell County?
- Bell County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 261-day growing season, average summer highs of 94.4°F, and average winter lows of 37.7°F. The established crops are corn, hay, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $221,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.54%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.2% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Baylor Scott and White Medical Center - Temple is 7.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 13 hospitals 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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