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Gillespie County

TX · Pop. 27,202 · Suburban County

48/100Homestead Score

Gillespie County, Texas covers 1,058 square miles with a population of 27,202 and a density of 25.7 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, wheat. The median home price is $432,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.02%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 228-day growing season, average summer highs of 92.1°F and average winter lows of 35.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 31.5 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Hill Country Memorial Hospital is 5.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.3% 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: 1.02%
Growing Season: 228 days
Broadband: 97.3%
Density: 25.7/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 228-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • Broadband reaches 97.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Hill Country Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 5.6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A low unemployment rate of 3.1% reflects a stable local job base.
  • A low poverty rate of 9.5% 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.
  • A median home price of $432,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.

At a glance

Gillespie County, TX is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.

Homestead score
48/100
Median home price
$432k
Property tax
1.02%
Growing season
228 days (zone 8b)
Annual rainfall
31.5"
Broadband
97.3%
Nearest hospital
Hill Country Memorial Hospital, 5.6 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.02%
Median Household Income$67,799
Poverty Rate9.5%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$432K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone8b
Growing Season228 days
Annual Rainfall31.5 inches
Avg Summer High92.1°F
Avg Winter Low35.5°F
Top CropsHay, Haylage, Wheat

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought9/10
Wildfire9/10
Tornado8/10
Flood7/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalHill Country Memorial Hospital (5.6 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage97.3%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.1%
Ag EconomyWeak

Homesteading in Gillespie County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Gillespie County?
Gillespie County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 228-day growing season, average summer highs of 92.1°F, and average winter lows of 35.5°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, wheat.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $432,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.02%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 97.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Hill Country Memorial Hospital is 5.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital 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.