Smith County
TX · Pop. 238,014 · Mixed County
Smith County, Texas covers 921 square miles with a population of 238,014 and a density of 258.4 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, peas. A median home price of $221,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.25% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 250-day growing season, average summer highs of 92°F and average winter lows of 38.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 46.6 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Christus Mother Frances Hospital - Tyler is 2.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 91.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 250-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- Broadband reaches 91.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Christus Mother Frances Hospital - Tyler, with an emergency room, is just 2.6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 4% reflects a stable local job base.
- Annual rainfall of 46.6 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- At 258.4 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Smith County, TX is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 58/100
- Median home price
- $221k
- Property tax
- 1.25%
- Growing season
- 250 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 46.6"
- Broadband
- 91.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Christus Mother Frances Hospital - Tyler, 2.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Smith County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Smith County?
- Smith County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 250-day growing season, average summer highs of 92°F, and average winter lows of 38.1°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, peas.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $221,000 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 91.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Christus Mother Frances Hospital - Tyler is 2.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 10 hospitals in the county.
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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