Starr County
TX · Pop. 65,809 · Suburban County
Starr County is a suburban county in Texas, spanning 1,223 square miles with 65,809 residents at a density of 53.8 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on sorghum, hay, cotton. The median home price is $93,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.12%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9b with a 325-day growing season, average summer highs of 98.1°F and average winter lows of 47.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 22.7 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Starr County Memorial Hospital is 12.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 93.6% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 325-day growing season in USDA zone 9b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $93,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 93.6% 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.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A poverty rate of 33.5% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
Starr County, TX is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 67/100
- Median home price
- $93k
- Property tax
- 1.12%
- Growing season
- 325 days (zone 9b)
- Annual rainfall
- 22.7"
- Broadband
- 93.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Starr County Memorial Hospital, 12.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Starr County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Starr County?
- Starr County is in USDA hardiness zone 9b with a 325-day growing season, average summer highs of 98.1°F, and average winter lows of 47.5°F. The established crops are sorghum, hay, cotton.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $93,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.12%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 93.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Starr County Memorial Hospital is 12.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
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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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