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Lavaca County

TX · Pop. 20,479 · Rural County

78/100Homestead Score

Lavaca County, Texas covers 970 square miles with a population of 20,479 and a density of 21.1 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, rice, haylage. A median home price of $221,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.96% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 270-day growing season, average summer highs of 93°F and average winter lows of 42.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 41.1 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Lavaca Medical Center is 5.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 92.8% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.96%
Growing Season: 270 days
Broadband: 92.8%
Density: 21.1/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 270-day growing season in USDA zone 9a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • Broadband reaches 92.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Lavaca Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 5.2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • At 21.1 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
  • A low unemployment rate of 3.3% reflects a stable local job base.

Cons

  • 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.

At a glance

Lavaca County, TX is a strong overall fit for homesteading.

Homestead score
78/100
Median home price
$221k
Property tax
0.96%
Growing season
270 days (zone 9a)
Annual rainfall
41.1"
Broadband
92.8%
Nearest hospital
Lavaca Medical Center, 5.2 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.96%
Median Household Income$61,768
Poverty Rate9.4%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$221K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone9a
Growing Season270 days
Annual Rainfall41.1 inches
Avg Summer High93°F
Avg Winter Low42.9°F
Top CropsHay, Rice, Haylage

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought7/10
Wildfire4/10
Tornado6/10
Flood9/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalLavaca Medical Center (5.2 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities2

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage92.8%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.3%
Ag EconomyModerate

Homesteading in Lavaca County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Lavaca County?
Lavaca County is in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 270-day growing season, average summer highs of 93°F, and average winter lows of 42.9°F. The established crops are hay, rice, haylage.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $221,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.96%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 92.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Lavaca Medical Center is 5.2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.

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Nearby counties

The closest counties to Lavaca County by distance, including across state lines.

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.