Parmer County
TX · Pop. 9,752 · Rural County
Parmer County, Texas covers 881 square miles with a population of 9,752 and a density of 11.1 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, corn, cotton. A median home price of $127,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.57% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 185-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.8°F and average winter lows of 23.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 20.1 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Parmer Medical Center is 8.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.7% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 185-day growing season in USDA zone 7a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $127,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 99.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Parmer Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 8.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on hay, corn, cotton means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
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.
- Annual rainfall of just 20.1 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.57% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
At a glance
Parmer County, TX is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 59/100
- Median home price
- $127k
- Property tax
- 1.57%
- Growing season
- 185 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 20.1"
- Broadband
- 99.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Parmer Medical Center, 8.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Parmer County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Parmer County?
- Parmer County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 185-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.8°F, and average winter lows of 23.6°F. The established crops are hay, corn, cotton.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $127,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.57%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Parmer Medical Center is 8.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Texas Resources
Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
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
All Texas countiesNearby counties
The closest counties to Parmer 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.