Wharton County
TX · Pop. 41,651 · Suburban County
Wharton County is a suburban county in Texas, spanning 1,086 square miles with 41,651 residents at a density of 38.4 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on rice, corn, cotton. A median home price of $183,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.5% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9b with a 282-day growing season, average summer highs of 94.5°F and average winter lows of 43.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 48.9 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. El Campo Memorial Hospital is 5.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.5% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 282-day growing season in USDA zone 9b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $183,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 97.5% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- El Campo Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 5.6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on rice, corn, cotton means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
Cons
- 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.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.5% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
At a glance
Wharton County, TX is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 64/100
- Median home price
- $183k
- Property tax
- 1.5%
- Growing season
- 282 days (zone 9b)
- Annual rainfall
- 48.9"
- Broadband
- 97.5%
- Nearest hospital
- El Campo Memorial Hospital, 5.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Wharton County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Wharton County?
- Wharton County is in USDA hardiness zone 9b with a 282-day growing season, average summer highs of 94.5°F, and average winter lows of 43.7°F. The established crops are rice, corn, cotton.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $183,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.5%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97.5% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- El Campo Memorial Hospital is 5.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 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.
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