Clay County
TX · Pop. 10,402 · Rural County
Clay County sits in Texas across 1,089 square miles, home to 10,402 people at 9.6 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on wheat, hay, haylage. The median home price is $161,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.36%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 226-day growing season, average summer highs of 94.7°F and average winter lows of 30.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 32.7 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Clay County Memorial Hospital is 2.1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.3% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 226-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $161,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 98.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Clay County Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 2.1 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- At 9.6 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.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.36% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
At a glance
Clay County, TX is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 80/100
- Median home price
- $161k
- Property tax
- 1.36%
- Growing season
- 226 days (zone 8a)
- Annual rainfall
- 32.7"
- Broadband
- 98.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Clay County Memorial Hospital, 2.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Clay County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Clay County?
- Clay County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 226-day growing season, average summer highs of 94.7°F, and average winter lows of 30.5°F. The established crops are wheat, hay, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $161,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.36%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Clay County Memorial Hospital is 2.1 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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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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