Hunt & Live

Brooks County, TX

6,906 residents · 943 sq mi · 7.3/sq mi · 36% rural

Climate
74°F
24.3" rain/yr
Water
arid
Aridity index 0.48
Hardiness
Zone 10b
Winter low ~37.1°F

About Brooks County

Brooks County is a county in Texas, United States, and Falfurrias is its county seat. Its population was 7,076, approximately 88% Latino per the 2020 census. It is one of Texas's poorest counties.

59
Prepper Suitability
worsebetter
National rank: #964 of 3,109
Locator map
Location within the continental US

Prepper Assessment

Living in Brooks County offers a warm climate with an annual mean temperature of 74.0°F, which supports a long growing season typical of USDA zone 10b. The area receives about 24.3 inches of rain per year, making it arid with a water classification that may challenge self-sufficient living. The terrain is mostly flat, which could facilitate agricultural activities, but the high summer temperatures reaching up to 98.3°F may require careful planning for crops and livestock management.

Potential risks include a high likelihood of cold waves (FEMA rank 97) and hurricanes (rank 82), which could impact agricultural output and infrastructure. The county has a moderate violence percentile of 51, indicating average safety concerns. Additionally, the cost of living is low, with a median home price of $80,100, but the county's economic challenges may limit access to resources and services that support a homesteading lifestyle.

Brooks County may suit individuals who prioritize affordability and can adapt to the arid climate while managing the risks of extreme weather. Those with experience in heat-tolerant farming and self-reliance may thrive here. However, individuals seeking a more robust infrastructure or less exposure to natural hazards may find this location less appealing, particularly given its economic conditions and the potential for severe weather events.

AI-generated analysis based on county data (climate, hazards, density, housing, economy). For general orientation only.

Key Facts

Ranked #1,049 nationally
Out of 3,109 CONUS counties for composite prepper suitability.
#121 of 254 in TX
Ranked #121 of 254 counties statewide for prepper suitability.
Dominant hazard: cold wave
FEMA ranks cold wave risk at 97/100 here — the leading natural threat.
Sparse population
7.3 people per square mile — well below the CONUS average.
Climate profile
Classified as arid with a 74.0°F annual mean and 24.3" of annual precipitation. USDA hardiness zone 10b.
Housing & taxes
Median home value $80,100.

Score Breakdown

Violence
49
percentile (lower = safer)
Disasters
61
percentile (lower = safer)
Density
14
percentile (lower = emptier)
Overall FEMA Risk
60.8
NRI composite (0-100)

Natural Hazard Profile (FEMA NRI)

Cold Wave 97
Drought 26
Earthquake 6
Hail 62
Hurricane 82
Heat Wave 33
Riverine Flood 18
Ice Storm 28
Landslide 1
Lightning 9
Strong Wind 5
Tornado 21
Wildfire 60
Winter Weather 9

Monthly Climate (1991–2020 normals)

Average temperature
JFMAMJ JASOND
Monthly precipitation (inches)
JFMAMJ JASOND
Summer high
98.3°F
Winter low
47.1°F
Heating degree days
774
Cooling degree days
4,080

Housing & Economy

Median home value
$80,100
Median HH income
$30,566
Price to income
2.6×
Property tax rate
0.97%
~$780/yr median

Community Profile

Median age
38.3
Homeownership
61.2%
Poverty rate
33.2%
Unemployment
2.1%

Connectivity

Broadband households
54.7%
No internet access
24.4%

Explore Brooks County Further

Similar Counties

Data sources. Prepper scores are national percentile ranks of firearm fatalities (County Health Rankings 2024 / CDC WONDER), FEMA National Risk Index 2023 composite disaster score, and population density (ACS 2022 + TIGER 2022 land area). Climate from NOAA nClimDiv 1991–2020 normals. Hardiness zone is estimated from climate data and may differ from the official USDA PHZM. Demographics and housing from Census ACS 5-year 2022. All scores are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute advice about where to live.