Franklin County
TX · Pop. 10,522 · Suburban County
Franklin County, Texas covers 284 square miles with a population of 10,522 and a density of 37 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, corn. A median home price of $213,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.91% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 232-day growing season, average summer highs of 91°F and average winter lows of 33.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 47.4 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. East Texas Medical Center Mount Vernon is 0.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.7% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 232-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.91% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 97.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- East Texas Medical Center Mount Vernon, with an emergency room, is just 0.9 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.6% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- Wildfire risk is high, so defensible space and fire preparedness should be part of any build plan.
At a glance
Franklin County, TX is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 81/100
- Median home price
- $213k
- Property tax
- 0.91%
- Growing season
- 232 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 47.4"
- Broadband
- 97.7%
- Nearest hospital
- East Texas Medical Center Mount Vernon, 0.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Franklin County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Franklin County?
- Franklin County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 232-day growing season, average summer highs of 91°F, and average winter lows of 33.7°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $213,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.91%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- East Texas Medical Center Mount Vernon is 0.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Texas Resources
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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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