Ellis County
TX · Pop. 203,927 · Mixed County
Ellis County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Texas, spanning 936 square miles with 203,927 residents at a density of 217.9 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, wheat, corn. A median home price of $306,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.46% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 241-day growing season, average summer highs of 92.6°F and average winter lows of 35.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 39.1 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Baylor Scott and White Medical Center - Waxahachie is 6.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.6% 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 241-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- Broadband reaches 98.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Baylor Scott and White Medical Center - Waxahachie, with an emergency room, is just 6.6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on hay, wheat, corn means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.8% 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.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.46% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- At 217.9 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Ellis County, TX is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 36/100
- Median home price
- $306k
- Property tax
- 1.46%
- Growing season
- 241 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 39.1"
- Broadband
- 98.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Baylor Scott and White Medical Center - Waxahachie, 6.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Ellis County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Ellis County?
- Ellis County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 241-day growing season, average summer highs of 92.6°F, and average winter lows of 35.4°F. The established crops are hay, wheat, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $306,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.46%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Baylor Scott and White Medical Center - Waxahachie is 6.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 3 hospitals in the county.
Explore Texas Resources
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LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in Texas
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The closest counties to Ellis County by distance, including across state lines.
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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