Motley County
TX · Pop. 1,267 · Rural County
Motley County, Texas covers 990 square miles with a population of 1,267 and a density of 1.3 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on cotton, wheat, hay. A median home price of $81,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.1% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 220-day growing season, average summer highs of 92.4°F and average winter lows of 30.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 23.4 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. W J Mangold Memorial Hospital is 37.4 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.5% 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 220-day growing season in USDA zone 7b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $81,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 97.5% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- At 1.3 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low poverty rate of 9.7% 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.
- The nearest hospital, W J Mangold Memorial Hospital, is 37.4 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
Motley County, TX is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 58/100
- Median home price
- $81k
- Property tax
- 1.1%
- Growing season
- 220 days (zone 7b)
- Annual rainfall
- 23.4"
- Broadband
- 97.5%
- Nearest hospital
- W J Mangold Memorial Hospital, 37.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Motley County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Motley County?
- Motley County is in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 220-day growing season, average summer highs of 92.4°F, and average winter lows of 30.6°F. The established crops are cotton, wheat, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $81,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.1%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97.5% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- W J Mangold Memorial Hospital is 37.4 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Texas Resources
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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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