Zapata County
TX · Pop. 13,855 · Rural County
Zapata County is a rural county in Texas, spanning 998 square miles with 13,855 residents at a density of 13.9 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 $89,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.03%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9b with a 334-day growing season, average summer highs of 97.8°F and average winter lows of 47.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 19.8 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Laredo Medical Center is 41.2 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 88.1% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 334-day growing season in USDA zone 9b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $89,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- At 13.9 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.
- Annual rainfall of just 19.8 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- The nearest hospital, Laredo Medical Center, is 41.2 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- A poverty rate of 37.4% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Zapata County, TX is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 67/100
- Median home price
- $89k
- Property tax
- 1.03%
- Growing season
- 334 days (zone 9b)
- Annual rainfall
- 19.8"
- Broadband
- 88.1%
- Nearest hospital
- Laredo Medical Center, 41.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Zapata County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Zapata County?
- Zapata County is in USDA hardiness zone 9b with a 334-day growing season, average summer highs of 97.8°F, and average winter lows of 47.8°F. The established crops are hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $89,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.03%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 88.1% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Laredo Medical Center is 41.2 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Texas Resources
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LandWatch
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AcreTrader
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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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