Lamar County
TX · Pop. 50,421 · Suburban County
Lamar County is a suburban county in Texas, spanning 907 square miles with 50,421 residents at a density of 55.6 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, haylage, wheat. The median home price is $176,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.95%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 244-day growing season, average summer highs of 94.6°F and average winter lows of 33.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 47.1 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Paris Regional Medical Center North Campus is 1.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 85.7% 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 244-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.95% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $176,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Paris Regional Medical Center North Campus, with an emergency room, is just 1.9 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on hay, haylage, wheat means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
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 18.7% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
Lamar County, TX is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 59/100
- Median home price
- $176k
- Property tax
- 0.95%
- Growing season
- 244 days (zone 8a)
- Annual rainfall
- 47.1"
- Broadband
- 85.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Paris Regional Medical Center North Campus, 1.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Lamar County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Lamar County?
- Lamar County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 244-day growing season, average summer highs of 94.6°F, and average winter lows of 33.8°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $176,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.95%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 85.7% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Paris Regional Medical Center North Campus is 1.9 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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