Gonzales County
TX · Pop. 19,764 · Rural County
Gonzales County, Texas covers 1,067 square miles with a population of 19,764 and a density of 18.5 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, corn. The median home price is $159,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.23%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 278-day growing season, average summer highs of 93.7°F and average winter lows of 41.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 35.5 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Memorial Hospital is 5.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.6% 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.
Pros
- A long 278-day growing season in USDA zone 9a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $159,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 99.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 5.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- At 18.5 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.
- 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.
At a glance
Gonzales County, TX is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 71/100
- Median home price
- $159k
- Property tax
- 1.23%
- Growing season
- 278 days (zone 9a)
- Annual rainfall
- 35.5"
- Broadband
- 99.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Memorial Hospital, 5.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Gonzales County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Gonzales County?
- Gonzales County is in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 278-day growing season, average summer highs of 93.7°F, and average winter lows of 41.2°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $159,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.23%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Memorial Hospital is 5.4 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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AcreTrader
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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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