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Sterling County

TX · Pop. 1,389 · Rural County

44/100Homestead Score

Sterling County sits in Texas across 923 square miles, home to 1,389 people at 1.5 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay. The median home price is $143,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.07%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 211-day growing season, average summer highs of 92.4°F and average winter lows of 29.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 20.5 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Scenic Mountain Medical Center - A Steward Family Hospital is 37.7 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 78.3% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.07%
Growing Season: 211 days
Broadband: 78.3%
Density: 1.5/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 211-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A median home price of $143,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • At 1.5 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
  • A low unemployment rate of 3.6% reflects a stable local job base.
  • A low poverty rate of 2.7% signals a relatively stable local economy.

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 20.5 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
  • Broadband reaches only 78.3% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
  • The nearest hospital, Scenic Mountain Medical Center - A Steward Family Hospital, is 37.7 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.

At a glance

Sterling County, TX is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.

Homestead score
44/100
Median home price
$143k
Property tax
1.07%
Growing season
211 days (zone 8a)
Annual rainfall
20.5"
Broadband
78.3%
Nearest hospital
Scenic Mountain Medical Center - A Steward Family Hospital, 37.7 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.07%
Median Household Income$78,750
Poverty Rate2.7%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$143K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone8a
Growing Season211 days
Annual Rainfall20.5 inches
Avg Summer High92.4°F
Avg Winter Low29.6°F
Top CropsHay

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought8/10
Wildfire7/10
Tornado2/10
Flood1/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalScenic Mountain Medical Center - A Steward Family Hospital (37.7 mi)
Emergency RoomNo
Healthcare Facilities0

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage78.3%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.6%
Ag EconomyWeak

Homesteading in Sterling County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Sterling County?
Sterling County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 211-day growing season, average summer highs of 92.4°F, and average winter lows of 29.6°F. The established crops are hay.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $143,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.07%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 78.3% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
How close is healthcare?
Scenic Mountain Medical Center - A Steward Family Hospital is 37.7 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.

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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.