Palo Pinto County
TX · Pop. 28,920 · Suburban County
Palo Pinto County, Texas covers 953 square miles with a population of 28,920 and a density of 30.3 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 $167,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.28%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 233-day growing season, average summer highs of 94.3°F and average winter lows of 32.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 34.9 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Palo Pinto General Hospital is 10.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 94.2% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 233-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $167,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 94.2% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Palo Pinto General Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 10.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 4% reflects a stable local job base.
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 high, so low-lying parcels deserve careful evaluation before purchase.
At a glance
Palo Pinto County, TX is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 65/100
- Median home price
- $167k
- Property tax
- 1.28%
- Growing season
- 233 days (zone 8a)
- Annual rainfall
- 34.9"
- Broadband
- 94.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Palo Pinto General Hospital, 10.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Palo Pinto County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Palo Pinto County?
- Palo Pinto County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 233-day growing season, average summer highs of 94.3°F, and average winter lows of 32.7°F. The established crops are hay, wheat, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $167,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.28%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 94.2% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Palo Pinto General Hospital is 10.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
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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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