Gaines County
TX · Pop. 21,904 · Rural County
Gaines County, Texas covers 1,502 square miles with a population of 21,904 and a density of 14.6 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on cotton, hay, peanuts. The median home price is $185,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.47%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 220-day growing season, average summer highs of 92.6°F and average winter lows of 28.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 18.4 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Memorial Hospital is 2.1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.6% 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 220-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $185,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 97.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 2.1 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on cotton, hay, peanuts means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
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.
- Annual rainfall of just 18.4 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.47% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
At a glance
Gaines County, TX is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 55/100
- Median home price
- $185k
- Property tax
- 1.47%
- Growing season
- 220 days (zone 8a)
- Annual rainfall
- 18.4"
- Broadband
- 97.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Memorial Hospital, 2.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Gaines County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Gaines County?
- Gaines County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 220-day growing season, average summer highs of 92.6°F, and average winter lows of 28.9°F. The established crops are cotton, hay, peanuts.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $185,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.47%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- 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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