Ector County
TX · Pop. 163,206 · Mixed County
Ector County, Texas covers 898 square miles with a population of 163,206 and a density of 181.7 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay. The median home price is $191,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.28%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 222-day growing season, average summer highs of 94.7°F and average winter lows of 30.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 13.5 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Medical Center Hospital is 10 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 222-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $191,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Medical Center Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 10 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.7% 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.
- Annual rainfall of just 13.5 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Ector County, TX is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 28/100
- Median home price
- $191k
- Property tax
- 1.28%
- Growing season
- 222 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 13.5"
- Broadband
- 99.9%
- Nearest hospital
- Medical Center Hospital, 10 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Ector County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Ector County?
- Ector County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 222-day growing season, average summer highs of 94.7°F, and average winter lows of 30.4°F. The established crops are hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $191,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.28%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Medical Center Hospital is 10 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 4 hospitals 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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