Brown County
TX · Pop. 38,294 · Suburban County
Brown County is a suburban county in Texas, spanning 944 square miles with 38,294 residents at a density of 40.6 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, wheat, cotton. A median home price of $150,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.15% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 223-day growing season, average summer highs of 94.6°F and average winter lows of 32°F. Annual rainfall averages 30.4 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Hendrick Medical Center Brownwood is 6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 86.3% 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 223-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $150,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Hendrick Medical Center Brownwood, with an emergency room, is just 6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.9% 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.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Brown County, TX is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 57/100
- Median home price
- $150k
- Property tax
- 1.15%
- Growing season
- 223 days (zone 8a)
- Annual rainfall
- 30.4"
- Broadband
- 86.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Hendrick Medical Center Brownwood, 6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Brown County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Brown County?
- Brown County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 223-day growing season, average summer highs of 94.6°F, and average winter lows of 32°F. The established crops are hay, wheat, cotton.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $150,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.15%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 86.3% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Hendrick Medical Center Brownwood is 6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital 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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