Mills County
TX · Pop. 4,499 · Rural County
Mills County, Texas covers 748 square miles with a population of 4,499 and a density of 6 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage. The median home price is $200,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.88%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 236-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.6°F and average winter lows of 35.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 30.6 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Hendrick Medical Center Brownwood is 26.7 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.2% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 236-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.88% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $200,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 98.2% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- At 6 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- The nearest hospital, Hendrick Medical Center Brownwood, is 26.7 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Mills County, TX is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 70/100
- Median home price
- $200k
- Property tax
- 0.88%
- Growing season
- 236 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 30.6"
- Broadband
- 98.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Hendrick Medical Center Brownwood, 26.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Mills County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Mills County?
- Mills County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 236-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.6°F, and average winter lows of 35.2°F. The established crops are hay, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $200,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.88%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.2% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Hendrick Medical Center Brownwood is 26.7 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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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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