Brewster County
TX · Pop. 9,464 · Rural County
Brewster County is a rural county in Texas, spanning 6,184 square miles with 9,464 residents at a density of 1.5 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, cotton, melons. A median home price of $216,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.22% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 256-day growing season, average summer highs of 96.2°F and average winter lows of 34.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 11.4 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Big Bend Regional Medical Center is 46.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 94.9% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 256-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- Broadband reaches 94.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- At 1.5 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 3% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 8.4% signals a relatively stable local economy.
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.
- Annual rainfall of just 11.4 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- The nearest hospital, Big Bend Regional Medical Center, is 46.9 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Brewster County, TX is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 48/100
- Median home price
- $216k
- Property tax
- 1.22%
- Growing season
- 256 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 11.4"
- Broadband
- 94.9%
- Nearest hospital
- Big Bend Regional Medical Center, 46.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Brewster County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Brewster County?
- Brewster County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 256-day growing season, average summer highs of 96.2°F, and average winter lows of 34.4°F. The established crops are hay, cotton, melons.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $216,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.22%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 94.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Big Bend Regional Medical Center is 46.9 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 Brewster 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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