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Travis County

TX · Pop. 1,307,625 · Urban County

23/100Homestead Score

Travis County, Texas covers 994 square miles with a population of 1,307,625 and a density of 1315.5 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, corn, sorghum. The median home price is $488,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.54%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 245-day growing season, average summer highs of 94.6°F and average winter lows of 38°F. Annual rainfall averages 34.9 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Dell Seton Medical Center at the University of Texas is 3.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.6% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.54%
Growing Season: 245 days
Broadband: 97.6%
Density: 1315.5/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 245-day growing season in USDA zone 9a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • Broadband reaches 97.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Dell Seton Medical Center at the University of Texas, with an emergency room, is just 3.6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A low unemployment rate of 3.4% reflects a stable local job base.
  • A low poverty rate of 11% signals a relatively stable 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.
  • Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
  • An effective property tax rate of 1.54% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
  • A median home price of $488,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.

At a glance

Travis County, TX is a challenging place to homestead on the data.

Homestead score
23/100
Median home price
$488k
Property tax
1.54%
Growing season
245 days (zone 9a)
Annual rainfall
34.9"
Broadband
97.6%
Nearest hospital
Dell Seton Medical Center at the University of Texas, 3.6 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.54%
Median Household Income$97,169
Poverty Rate11%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$488K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone9a
Growing Season245 days
Annual Rainfall34.9 inches
Avg Summer High94.6°F
Avg Winter Low38°F
Top CropsHay, Corn, Sorghum

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought5/10
Wildfire10/10
Tornado10/10
Flood10/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalDell Seton Medical Center at the University of Texas (3.6 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities28

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage97.6%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.4%
Ag EconomyModerate

Homesteading in Travis County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Travis County?
Travis County is in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 245-day growing season, average summer highs of 94.6°F, and average winter lows of 38°F. The established crops are hay, corn, sorghum.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $488,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.54%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 97.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Dell Seton Medical Center at the University of Texas is 3.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 28 hospitals in the county.

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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.