Mason County
TX · Pop. 3,951 · Rural County
Mason County is a rural county in Texas, spanning 929 square miles with 3,951 residents at a density of 4.3 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, wheat, haylage. The median home price is $275,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.82%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 227-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.6°F and average winter lows of 33.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 29.2 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Heart of Texas Healthcare System is 29.3 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 73% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 227-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.82% holds annual carrying costs down.
- At 4.3 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.6% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 6.4% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- Broadband reaches only 73% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- The nearest hospital, Heart of Texas Healthcare System, is 29.3 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Mason County, TX is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 40/100
- Median home price
- $275k
- Property tax
- 0.82%
- Growing season
- 227 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 29.2"
- Broadband
- 73%
- Nearest hospital
- Heart of Texas Healthcare System, 29.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Mason County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Mason County?
- Mason County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 227-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.6°F, and average winter lows of 33.6°F. The established crops are hay, wheat, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $275,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.82%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 73% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Heart of Texas Healthcare System is 29.3 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Texas Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Texas
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The closest counties to Mason 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.
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