Upton County
TX · Pop. 3,227 · Rural County
Upton County sits in Texas across 1,241 square miles, home to 3,227 people at 2.6 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on cotton, hay, sorghum. A median home price of $106,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.13% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 239-day growing season, average summer highs of 94.9°F and average winter lows of 33.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 15.1 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Rankin County Hospital District is 10.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 90.1% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 239-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $106,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 90.1% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Rankin County Hospital District, with an emergency room, is just 10.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- At 2.6 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- Annual rainfall of just 15.1 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Upton County, TX is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 71/100
- Median home price
- $106k
- Property tax
- 1.13%
- Growing season
- 239 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 15.1"
- Broadband
- 90.1%
- Nearest hospital
- Rankin County Hospital District, 10.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Upton County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Upton County?
- Upton County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 239-day growing season, average summer highs of 94.9°F, and average winter lows of 33.5°F. The established crops are cotton, hay, sorghum.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $106,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.13%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 90.1% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Rankin County Hospital District is 10.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 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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