Henderson County
TX · Pop. 83,658 · Suburban County
Henderson County, Texas covers 874 square miles with a population of 83,658 and a density of 95.7 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, melons. A median home price of $190,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.98% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 238-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.8°F and average winter lows of 36°F. Annual rainfall averages 42.9 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. UT Health East Texas Athens Hospital is 2.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 85.9% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 238-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $190,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- UT Health East Texas Athens Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 2.9 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.
At a glance
Henderson County, TX is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 55/100
- Median home price
- $190k
- Property tax
- 0.98%
- Growing season
- 238 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 42.9"
- Broadband
- 85.9%
- Nearest hospital
- UT Health East Texas Athens Hospital, 2.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Henderson County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Henderson County?
- Henderson County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 238-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.8°F, and average winter lows of 36°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, melons.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $190,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.98%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 85.9% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- UT Health East Texas Athens Hospital is 2.9 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.
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