Ward County
TX · Pop. 11,255 · Rural County
Ward County is a rural county in Texas, spanning 836 square miles with 11,255 residents at a density of 13.5 people 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 $139,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.6%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 221-day growing season, average summer highs of 96.6°F and average winter lows of 29.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 14.2 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Ward Memorial Hospital is 14.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 71.5% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 221-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.6% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $139,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- At 13.5 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.5% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Annual rainfall of just 14.2 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- Broadband reaches only 71.5% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Ward County, TX is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 61/100
- Median home price
- $139k
- Property tax
- 0.6%
- Growing season
- 221 days (zone 8a)
- Annual rainfall
- 14.2"
- Broadband
- 71.5%
- Nearest hospital
- Ward Memorial Hospital, 14.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Ward County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Ward County?
- Ward County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 221-day growing season, average summer highs of 96.6°F, and average winter lows of 29.7°F. The established crops are hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $139,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.6%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 71.5% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Ward Memorial Hospital is 14.2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Texas Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
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More counties in Texas
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The closest counties to Ward County by distance, including across state lines.
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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