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Galveston County

TX · Pop. 354,721 · Urban County

22/100Homestead Score

Galveston County sits in Texas across 379 square miles, home to 354,721 people at 935.9 per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, soybeans, haylage. The median home price is $285,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.49%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 10a with a 353-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.4°F and average winter lows of 50.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 50.8 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. University of Texas Medical Branch - Galveston is 8.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.4% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.49%
Growing Season: 353 days
Broadband: 99.4%
Density: 935.9/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 353-day growing season in USDA zone 10a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • Broadband reaches 99.4% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • University of Texas Medical Branch - Galveston, with an emergency room, is just 8.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A low poverty rate of 11.2% signals a relatively stable local economy.

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.
  • Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
  • An effective property tax rate of 1.49% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.

At a glance

Galveston County, TX is a challenging place to homestead on the data.

Homestead score
22/100
Median home price
$285k
Property tax
1.49%
Growing season
353 days (zone 10a)
Annual rainfall
50.8"
Broadband
99.4%
Nearest hospital
University of Texas Medical Branch - Galveston, 8.5 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.49%
Median Household Income$85,348
Poverty Rate11.2%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$285K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone10a
Growing Season353 days
Annual Rainfall50.8 inches
Avg Summer High89.4°F
Avg Winter Low50.1°F
Top CropsHay, Soybeans, Haylage

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought10/10
Wildfire9/10
Tornado10/10
Flood10/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalUniversity of Texas Medical Branch - Galveston (8.5 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities5

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage99.4%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate4.4%
Ag EconomyWeak

Homesteading in Galveston County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Galveston County?
Galveston County is in USDA hardiness zone 10a with a 353-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.4°F, and average winter lows of 50.1°F. The established crops are hay, soybeans, haylage.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $285,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.49%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 99.4% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
University of Texas Medical Branch - Galveston is 8.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 5 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.