Shelby County
TX · Pop. 24,108 · Suburban County
Shelby County sits in Texas across 796 square miles, home to 24,108 people at 30.3 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, melons. A median home price of $112,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.02% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 244-day growing season, average summer highs of 93.6°F and average winter lows of 36.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 54.2 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. CHI St Lukes Health Memorial San Augustine is 17.9 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 43.5% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 244-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $112,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- A median household income of $50,436 anchors the local economy.
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.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- Broadband reaches only 43.5% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- The nearest hospital, CHI St Lukes Health Memorial San Augustine, is 17.9 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Shelby County, TX is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 40/100
- Median home price
- $112k
- Property tax
- 1.02%
- Growing season
- 244 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 54.2"
- Broadband
- 43.5%
- Nearest hospital
- CHI St Lukes Health Memorial San Augustine, 17.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Shelby County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Shelby County?
- Shelby County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 244-day growing season, average summer highs of 93.6°F, and average winter lows of 36.5°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, melons.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $112,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.02%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 43.5% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- CHI St Lukes Health Memorial San Augustine is 17.9 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Texas Resources
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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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