Orange County
TX · Pop. 84,993 · Mixed County
Orange County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Texas, spanning 334 square miles with 84,993 residents at a density of 254.5 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, sugarcane. A median home price of $163,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.25% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9b with a 271-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.3°F and average winter lows of 41°F. Annual rainfall averages 59.1 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas is 14 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 95.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 271-day growing season in USDA zone 9b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $163,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 95.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
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.
- The nearest hospital, Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas, is 14 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
Orange County, TX is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 37/100
- Median home price
- $163k
- Property tax
- 1.25%
- Growing season
- 271 days (zone 9b)
- Annual rainfall
- 59.1"
- Broadband
- 95.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas, 14 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Orange County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Orange County?
- Orange County is in USDA hardiness zone 9b with a 271-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.3°F, and average winter lows of 41°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, sugarcane.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $163,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.25%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 95.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas is 14 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Texas Resources
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LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in Texas
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The closest counties to Orange 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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