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Wheeler County

TX · Pop. 4,902 · Rural County

43/100Homestead Score

Wheeler County, Texas covers 915 square miles with a population of 4,902 and a density of 5.4 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, cotton, wheat. A median home price of $98,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.45% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 205-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.2°F and average winter lows of 25.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 22.1 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Parkview Hospital is 3.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 32.4% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.45%
Growing Season: 205 days
Broadband: 32.4%
Density: 5.4/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 205-day growing season in USDA zone 7a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A median home price of $98,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Parkview Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 3.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A strong agricultural economy built on hay, cotton, wheat means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
  • At 5.4 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.

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.
  • An effective property tax rate of 1.45% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
  • Broadband reaches only 32.4% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.

At a glance

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

Homestead score
43/100
Median home price
$98k
Property tax
1.45%
Growing season
205 days (zone 7a)
Annual rainfall
22.1"
Broadband
32.4%
Nearest hospital
Parkview Hospital, 3.4 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.45%
Median Household Income$67,964
Poverty Rate14.2%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$98K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone7a
Growing Season205 days
Annual Rainfall22.1 inches
Avg Summer High91.2°F
Avg Winter Low25.4°F
Top CropsHay, Cotton, Wheat

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought10/10
Wildfire10/10
Tornado6/10
Flood1/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalParkview Hospital (3.4 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities2

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage32.4%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.3%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Wheeler County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Wheeler County?
Wheeler County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 205-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.2°F, and average winter lows of 25.4°F. The established crops are hay, cotton, wheat.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $98,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.45%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 32.4% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
How close is healthcare?
Parkview Hospital is 3.4 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.