Hunt & Live

Delta County, TX

5,406 residents · 257 sq mi · 21.0/sq mi · 100% rural

Climate
64.2°F
46.1" rain/yr
Water
humid
Aridity index 1.33
Hardiness
Zone 9a
Winter low ~23.6°F

About Delta County

Delta County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 5,230. Its county seat and largest city is Cooper. The county was founded in 1870 and is named for its triangular shape, which resembles the Greek letter delta.

71
Prepper Suitability
worsebetter
National rank: #491 of 3,109
Locator map
Location within the continental US

Prepper Assessment

Living in this area features a rural landscape with a low population density of 21.0 people per square mile, providing ample space for self-sufficient living. The climate is characterized by an annual mean temperature of 64.2°F and 46.1 inches of rainfall per year, supporting a growing season suitable for a variety of crops in USDA zone 9a. However, the summer high of 94.4°F can be challenging for some crops and livestock management, necessitating careful planning for water resources.

Natural hazards pose significant risks in the region, with the leading concerns being ice storms (FEMA rank 81) and drought (rank 80), which can impact agricultural productivity and water availability. Tornadoes (rank 49) and hail (rank 46) also present threats, while hurricanes (rank 41) may be a concern during certain seasons. The county's violence percentile at 51 indicates a moderate level of safety, but the overall disaster percentile at 9 suggests a relatively low risk of natural disasters compared to other regions.

This area may be a good fit for those seeking a quiet, rural lifestyle and who are prepared to deal with the climate and natural hazards. Individuals with farming or self-sufficient living experience will likely thrive here, while those unaccustomed to rural life or reliant on urban amenities may struggle. A potential dealbreaker for homesteaders could be the risk of drought and ice storms, while the low property tax rate of 0.87% may be seen as a hidden gem for potential homeowners.

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

Key Facts

Top 14% nationally
National prepper rank: #426 of 3,109.
#70 of 254 in TX
Ranked #70 of 254 counties statewide for prepper suitability.
Dominant hazard: ice storm
FEMA ranks ice storm risk at 81/100 here — the leading natural threat.
Sparse population
21.0 people per square mile — well below the CONUS average.
Climate profile
Classified as humid with a 64.2°F annual mean and 46.1" of annual precipitation. USDA hardiness zone 9a.
Housing & taxes
Median home value $163,700.

Score Breakdown

Violence
49
percentile (lower = safer)
Disasters
9
percentile (lower = safer)
Density
29
percentile (lower = emptier)
Overall FEMA Risk
8.9
NRI composite (0-100)

Natural Hazard Profile (FEMA NRI)

Cold Wave 22
Drought 80
Earthquake 25
Hail 46
Hurricane 41
Heat Wave 36
Riverine Flood 6
Ice Storm 81
Landslide 2
Lightning 6
Strong Wind 17
Tornado 49
Wildfire 40
Winter Weather 11

Monthly Climate (1991–2020 normals)

Average temperature
JFMAMJ JASOND
Monthly precipitation (inches)
JFMAMJ JASOND
Summer high
94.4°F
Winter low
33.6°F
Heating degree days
2,580
Cooling degree days
2,332

Housing & Economy

Median home value
$163,700
Median HH income
$68,491
Price to income
2.4×
Property tax rate
0.87%
~$1,427/yr median

Community Profile

Median age
40.6
Homeownership
80.3%
Poverty rate
14.1%
Unemployment
6.4%

Connectivity

Broadband households
40.2%
No internet access
17%

Explore Delta County Further

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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.