Rusk County
TX · Pop. 52,613 · Suburban County
Rusk County sits in Texas across 924 square miles, home to 52,613 people at 56.9 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, potatoes. A median home price of $167,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 242-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.8°F and average winter lows of 36.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 49.4 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. UT Health East Texas Henderson Hospital is 4.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 86.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 242-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $167,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- UT Health East Texas Henderson Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 4.2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
At a glance
Rusk County, TX is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 66/100
- Median home price
- $167k
- Property tax
- 1%
- Growing season
- 242 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 49.4"
- Broadband
- 86.7%
- Nearest hospital
- UT Health East Texas Henderson Hospital, 4.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Rusk County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Rusk County?
- Rusk County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 242-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.8°F, and average winter lows of 36.4°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, potatoes.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $167,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 86.7% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- UT Health East Texas Henderson Hospital is 4.2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital 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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