Jim Wells County
TX · Pop. 38,863 · Suburban County
Jim Wells County, Texas covers 865 square miles with a population of 38,863 and a density of 44.9 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on sorghum, cotton, hay. A median home price of $105,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.25% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9b with a 315-day growing season, average summer highs of 95.7°F and average winter lows of 46.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 28.4 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Christus Spohn Hospital Alice is 3.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.5% 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 315-day growing season in USDA zone 9b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $105,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 99.5% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Christus Spohn Hospital Alice, with an emergency room, is just 3.7 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.
- A poverty rate of 23.2% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
Jim Wells County, TX is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 74/100
- Median home price
- $105k
- Property tax
- 1.25%
- Growing season
- 315 days (zone 9b)
- Annual rainfall
- 28.4"
- Broadband
- 99.5%
- Nearest hospital
- Christus Spohn Hospital Alice, 3.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Jim Wells County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Jim Wells County?
- Jim Wells County is in USDA hardiness zone 9b with a 315-day growing season, average summer highs of 95.7°F, and average winter lows of 46.9°F. The established crops are sorghum, cotton, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $105,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.25%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.5% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Christus Spohn Hospital Alice is 3.7 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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