Hunt & Live

Jones County, TX

19,935 residents · 929 sq mi · 21.5/sq mi · 100% rural

Climate
64.7°F
25.1" rain/yr
Water
dry sub-humid
Aridity index 0.71
Hardiness
Zone 9a
Winter low ~22°F

About Jones County

Jones County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 19,663.

Its county seat is Anson. The county was created in 1858 and organized in 1881. Both the county and its county seat are named for Anson Jones, the fourth and final president of the Republic of Texas.

61
Prepper Suitability
worsebetter
National rank: #849 of 3,109
Locator map
Location within the continental US

Prepper Assessment

This area features a predominantly rural landscape with a population density of 21.5 people per square mile, providing ample space for self-sufficient living. The climate is characterized by an annual mean temperature of 64.7°F and 25.1 inches of rainfall per year, supporting a growing season suitable for many crops. However, the dry sub-humid classification indicates potential water limitations, making efficient water management essential for homesteaders.

Natural hazards pose notable risks, with hail (FEMA rank 92) and drought (rank 88) being the most significant concerns. Wildfire risk is also substantial, ranked at 85, which could impact land use and safety. Additionally, while the violence percentile is relatively high at 70, indicating some safety concerns, the overall disaster percentile of 38 suggests a moderate level of risk from natural disasters.

This county may be a good fit for those seeking a rural lifestyle with low housing costs, as evidenced by a median home price of $88,400. It is well-suited for individuals comfortable with the challenges of water management and natural hazards. However, those who prefer urban amenities and reliable broadband access may find the 52% broadband subscription rate limiting, making this area less ideal for remote work or those reliant on technology.

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

Key Facts

Ranked #1,277 nationally
Out of 3,109 CONUS counties for composite prepper suitability.
#134 of 254 in TX
Ranked #134 of 254 counties statewide for prepper suitability.
Dominant hazard: hail
FEMA ranks hail risk at 92/100 here — the leading natural threat.
Sparse population
21.5 people per square mile — well below the CONUS average.
Climate profile
Classified as dry sub-humid with a 64.7°F annual mean and 25.1" of annual precipitation. USDA hardiness zone 9a.
Housing & taxes
Median home value $88,400.

Score Breakdown

Violence
49
percentile (lower = safer)
Disasters
38
percentile (lower = safer)
Density
30
percentile (lower = emptier)
Overall FEMA Risk
37.9
NRI composite (0-100)

Natural Hazard Profile (FEMA NRI)

Cold Wave 20
Drought 88
Earthquake 20
Hail 92
Hurricane 32
Heat Wave 55
Riverine Flood 40
Ice Storm 30
Landslide 31
Lightning 15
Strong Wind 55
Tornado 54
Wildfire 85
Winter Weather 57

Monthly Climate (1991–2020 normals)

Average temperature
JFMAMJ JASOND
Monthly precipitation (inches)
JFMAMJ JASOND
Summer high
96.1°F
Winter low
32°F
Heating degree days
2,543
Cooling degree days
2,469

Housing & Economy

Median home value
$88,400
Median HH income
$59,361
Price to income
1.5×
Property tax rate
1.49%
~$1,317/yr median

Community Profile

Median age
38.4
Homeownership
82.2%
Poverty rate
14.2%
Unemployment
4.6%

Connectivity

Broadband households
52%
No internet access
14.6%

Explore Jones 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.