Hartley County
TX · Pop. 5,307 · Rural County
Hartley County is a rural county in Texas, spanning 1,462 square miles with 5,307 residents at a density of 3.6 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, wheat, hay. A median home price of $213,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.22% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 166-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.3°F and average winter lows of 18°F. Annual rainfall averages 17.4 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Coon Memorial Hospital and Home is 15.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 96.1% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 96.1% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A strong agricultural economy built on corn, wheat, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 3.6 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.1% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 6.8% signals a relatively stable local economy.
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 17.4 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
At a glance
Hartley County, TX is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 51/100
- Median home price
- $213k
- Property tax
- 1.22%
- Growing season
- 166 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 17.4"
- Broadband
- 96.1%
- Nearest hospital
- Coon Memorial Hospital and Home, 15.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Hartley County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Hartley County?
- Hartley County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 166-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.3°F, and average winter lows of 18°F. The established crops are corn, wheat, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $213,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.22%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 96.1% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Coon Memorial Hospital and Home is 15.4 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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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Texas
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The closest counties to Hartley 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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