Howard County
TX · Pop. 33,127 · Suburban County
Howard County sits in Texas across 901 square miles, home to 33,127 people at 36.8 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on cotton, hay, haylage. A median home price of $150,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.09% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 239-day growing season, average summer highs of 93.6°F and average winter lows of 32.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 19.5 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Scenic Mountain Medical Center - A Steward Family Hospital is 5.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is 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 239-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $150,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Scenic Mountain Medical Center - A Steward Family Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 5.6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.8% reflects a stable local job base.
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.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- Annual rainfall of just 19.5 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
At a glance
Howard County, TX is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 61/100
- Median home price
- $150k
- Property tax
- 1.09%
- Growing season
- 239 days (zone 8a)
- Annual rainfall
- 19.5"
- Broadband
- 99.9%
- Nearest hospital
- Scenic Mountain Medical Center - A Steward Family Hospital, 5.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Howard County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Howard County?
- Howard County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 239-day growing season, average summer highs of 93.6°F, and average winter lows of 32.8°F. The established crops are cotton, hay, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $150,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.09%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Scenic Mountain Medical Center - A Steward Family Hospital is 5.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 3 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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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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