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Jefferson County

TX · Pop. 253,939 · Mixed County

29/100Homestead Score

Jefferson County sits in Texas across 877 square miles, home to 253,939 people at 289.6 per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, rice, haylage. The median home price is $160,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.57%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9b with a 298-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.2°F and average winter lows of 44.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 60.5 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. The Medical Center of Southeast Texas is 11.1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 95.4% 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.

Property Tax: 1.57%
Growing Season: 298 days
Broadband: 95.4%
Density: 289.6/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 298-day growing season in USDA zone 9b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A median home price of $160,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 95.4% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • The Medical Center of Southeast Texas, with an emergency room, is just 11.1 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 1.57% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.

At a glance

Jefferson County, TX is a challenging place to homestead on the data.

Homestead score
29/100
Median home price
$160k
Property tax
1.57%
Growing season
298 days (zone 9b)
Annual rainfall
60.5"
Broadband
95.4%
Nearest hospital
The Medical Center of Southeast Texas, 11.1 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.57%
Median Household Income$59,934
Poverty Rate18.8%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$160K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone9b
Growing Season298 days
Annual Rainfall60.5 inches
Avg Summer High91.2°F
Avg Winter Low44.8°F
Top CropsHay, Rice, Haylage

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought9/10
Wildfire10/10
Tornado10/10
Flood10/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalThe Medical Center of Southeast Texas (11.1 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities13

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage95.4%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate5.7%
Ag EconomyModerate

Homesteading in Jefferson County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Jefferson County?
Jefferson County is in USDA hardiness zone 9b with a 298-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.2°F, and average winter lows of 44.8°F. The established crops are hay, rice, haylage.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $160,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.57%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 95.4% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
The Medical Center of Southeast Texas is 11.1 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 13 hospitals 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.