Frio County
TX · Pop. 18,019 · Rural County
Frio County is a rural county in Texas, spanning 1,134 square miles with 18,019 residents at a density of 15.9 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, peanuts, cotton. A median home price of $110,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.59% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 293-day growing season, average summer highs of 97.3°F and average winter lows of 36.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 24.7 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Frio Regional Hospital is 1.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.1% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 293-day growing season in USDA zone 9a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $110,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 98.1% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Frio Regional Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 1.9 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- At 15.9 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 1.59% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- A poverty rate of 19.6% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
Frio County, TX is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 71/100
- Median home price
- $110k
- Property tax
- 1.59%
- Growing season
- 293 days (zone 9a)
- Annual rainfall
- 24.7"
- Broadband
- 98.1%
- Nearest hospital
- Frio Regional Hospital, 1.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Frio County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Frio County?
- Frio County is in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 293-day growing season, average summer highs of 97.3°F, and average winter lows of 36.6°F. The established crops are hay, peanuts, cotton.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $110,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.59%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.1% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Frio Regional Hospital is 1.9 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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