Hunt & Live

Rains County, TX

12,823 residents · 230 sq mi · 55.9/sq mi · 100% rural

Climate
64.8°F
45" rain/yr
Water
humid
Aridity index 1.28
Hardiness
Zone 9a
Winter low ~24.6°F

About Rains County

Rains County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 12,164. Its seat is Emory. The county are named for Emory Rains, a Texas state legislator.

60
Prepper Suitability
worsebetter
National rank: #892 of 3,109
Locator map
Location within the continental US

Prepper Assessment

Living in Rains County offers a rural lifestyle with a population density of 55.9 people per square mile, making it a relatively spacious area. The climate features an annual mean temperature of 64.8°F, with a growing season suitable for USDA zone 9a. Residents can expect about 45 inches of rainfall per year, which supports various agricultural endeavors. However, the summer highs can reach 94.4°F, necessitating water management strategies for self-sufficient living.

The county faces notable risks, particularly from ice storms, ranked 83 by FEMA, and tornadoes at rank 62. While the violence percentile is moderate at 51, indicating average safety, the disaster percentile is low at 14, suggesting a relatively lower risk of natural disasters overall. Additionally, with a median home price of $174,000 and a property tax rate of 1.11%, affordability may be a concern for some prospective residents, especially those seeking to establish a homestead.

This area may suit individuals or families looking for a rural lifestyle with manageable risks and a moderate cost of living. Those with agricultural skills and a willingness to adapt to the climate will likely thrive here. However, individuals seeking a highly connected environment might find the 34% broadband subscription rate limiting, and the potential for severe weather could be a dealbreaker for those with lower tolerance for such risks.

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

Key Facts

Ranked #953 nationally
Out of 3,109 CONUS counties for composite prepper suitability.
#116 of 254 in TX
Ranked #116 of 254 counties statewide for prepper suitability.
Dominant hazard: ice storm
FEMA ranks ice storm risk at 83/100 here — the leading natural threat.
Rural-suburban mix
55.9 people per square mile.
Climate profile
Classified as humid with a 64.8°F annual mean and 45.0" of annual precipitation. USDA hardiness zone 9a.
Housing & taxes
Median home value $174,000.

Score Breakdown

Violence
49
percentile (lower = safer)
Disasters
14
percentile (lower = safer)
Density
57
percentile (lower = emptier)
Overall FEMA Risk
14.1
NRI composite (0-100)

Natural Hazard Profile (FEMA NRI)

Cold Wave 33
Drought 57
Earthquake 23
Hail 47
Hurricane 42
Heat Wave 48
Riverine Flood 13
Ice Storm 83
Landslide 6
Lightning 29
Strong Wind 31
Tornado 62
Wildfire 43
Winter Weather 17

Monthly Climate (1991–2020 normals)

Average temperature
JFMAMJ JASOND
Monthly precipitation (inches)
JFMAMJ JASOND
Summer high
94.4°F
Winter low
34.6°F
Heating degree days
2,414
Cooling degree days
2,367

Housing & Economy

Median home value
$174,000
Median HH income
$60,291
Price to income
2.9×
Property tax rate
1.11%
~$1,925/yr median

Community Profile

Median age
47.6
Homeownership
80%
Poverty rate
11%
Unemployment
2.3%

Connectivity

Broadband households
34.5%
No internet access
11.8%

Explore Rains 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.