Briscoe County
TX · Pop. 1,223 · Rural County
Briscoe County, Texas covers 900 square miles with a population of 1,223 and a density of 1.4 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on cotton, wheat, hay. The median home price is $83,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.08%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 195-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.3°F and average winter lows of 24.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 22.4 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. W J Mangold Memorial Hospital is 30.6 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.7% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 195-day growing season in USDA zone 7b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $83,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 97.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- At 1.4 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.4% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- The nearest hospital, W J Mangold Memorial Hospital, is 30.6 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- Wildfire risk is high, so defensible space and fire preparedness should be part of any build plan.
At a glance
Briscoe County, TX is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 56/100
- Median home price
- $83k
- Property tax
- 1.08%
- Growing season
- 195 days (zone 7b)
- Annual rainfall
- 22.4"
- Broadband
- 97.7%
- Nearest hospital
- W J Mangold Memorial Hospital, 30.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Briscoe County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Briscoe County?
- Briscoe County is in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 195-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.3°F, and average winter lows of 24.6°F. The established crops are cotton, wheat, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $83,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.08%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- W J Mangold Memorial Hospital is 30.6 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
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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.