Harris County
TX · Pop. 4,758,579 · Urban County
Harris County, Texas covers 1,707 square miles with a population of 4,758,579 and a density of 2787.7 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, squash. The median home price is $255,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.72%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9b with a 296-day growing season, average summer highs of 93.2°F and average winter lows of 44.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 57 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. United Memorial Medical Center is 1.1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.9% 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 296-day growing season in USDA zone 9b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- Broadband reaches 98.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- United Memorial Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 1.1 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
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 1.72% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
At a glance
Harris County, TX is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 33/100
- Median home price
- $255k
- Property tax
- 1.72%
- Growing season
- 296 days (zone 9b)
- Annual rainfall
- 57"
- Broadband
- 98.9%
- Nearest hospital
- United Memorial Medical Center, 1.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Harris County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Harris County?
- Harris County is in USDA hardiness zone 9b with a 296-day growing season, average summer highs of 93.2°F, and average winter lows of 44.8°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, squash.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $255,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.72%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- United Memorial Medical Center is 1.1 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 88 hospitals 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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The closest counties to Harris County by distance, including across state lines.
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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