Texas small towns offer something you cannot find in the suburbs anymore. You get actual land at prices that make sense. From North Texas ranch country down to the Piney Woods of East Texas, these communities give you room to breathe, build what you want, and live how you choose. The towns we work in at HRC Ranch have stayed true to their roots while still providing the basics you need for comfortable living.
These are working communities where cattle ranchers, small business owners, and folks looking for elbow room have made their homes for generations. Land here serves a purpose, from running a few head of cattle to building that workshop you have always wanted, or just having enough space that you cannot see your neighbors from the porch.
What Makes These Texas Towns Work for Land Buyers
When we help clients find land in small Texas towns, certain factors keep coming up that separate good investments from money pits. These are the real considerations that matter when you are buying acreage outside the city.
- Water access and rights matter more than anything else. Towns near lakes or with good well water hold value better.
- Distance to a regional hospital becomes vital as you age. An hour drive is manageable, three hours is not.
- County roads and maintenance affect your daily life. Some counties maintain their roads in better condition than others.
- Local ag exemptions can cut your property taxes significantly if you run cattle or grow hay.
- Internet and cell service vary wildly. Starlink has helped, but some areas still struggle with basic connectivity.
North Texas Ranch Country
Breckenridge (Stephens County)
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- Population: 5,190 (2024 data.)
- Median household income: $46,989 (2023)
- Location: 120 miles west of Fort Worth
- County: Stephens County
- Key features: Between Hubbard Creek Lake and Possum Kingdom Lake
Breckenridge is situated between two major recreational lakes, Hubbard Creek and Possum Kingdom, offering waterfront and near-water properties at various price points. This old oil town has transitioned to ranching and recreation, with land prices that reflect its distance from the Metroplex. Most parcels here range from 20 to 100 acres, making them ideal for running a small cattle operation or keeping horses. The town itself offers basic services, a hospital, and a sufficient number of restaurants to keep you well-fed. Deer hunting leases offer an additional income source on larger properties, and the combination of rocky terrain and pastureland creates diverse land use options.
Sunnyvale (Dallas County)
- Population: 8,839 (2024)
- Median household income: $157,500 (2023)
- Location: 15 miles east of downtown Dallas
- County: Dallas County
- Median home value: $540,500
Sunnyvale plays a different game than most rural Texas towns. Located on the eastern edge of Dallas County, it maintains large-lot zoning that keeps density low while staying within 30 minutes of Dallas healthcare and shopping. Properties here typically run 2 to 10 acres, attracting people who want land but need to commute occasionally. The school district ranks among the best in Texas, making it a popular choice for families who want their children to participate in FFA while receiving a quality education. Lake Ray Hubbard sits nearby for weekend recreation.
Pantego (Tarrant County)
- Population: 2,495 (surrounded by Arlington)
- Location: Completely within Arlington city limits
- County: Tarrant County
- Key features: Lower property taxes than Arlington, mature tree coverage
Pantego is an oddity, a tiny town surrounded by Arlington that has maintained its independence and small-town government. The lots here are smaller, usually under an acre, but the town offers a rural atmosphere with urban access. Property taxes stay lower than in Arlington proper, and the mature trees create an entirely different feel from the surrounding suburbs. This option works well for individuals who desire a spacious yard and garden without relocating to rural areas.
East Texas Timber and Lake Country
Mount Pleasant (Titus County)
- Population: 16,238 (2024)
- Median household income: $53,039 (2023)
- Location: 60 miles from Tyler
- County: Titus County
- Key features: Bob Sandlin Lake, Lake Monticello, timber land
Mount Pleasant anchors a region of small lakes and timberland in Northeast Texas. The economy runs on a mix of manufacturing, agriculture, and lake tourism, keeping it more stable than single-industry towns. Land here often includes timber rights, providing potential income from pine harvests. Bob Sandlin Lake and Lake Monticello offer different personalities, from party coves to quiet fishing spots. Properties range from 5-acre homesites to 500-acre timber tracts. The local hospital serves the region, and you can access most services without needing to drive to a larger city.
Mount Vernon (Franklin County)
- Population: 2,601 (2024)
- Location: 100 miles east of Dallas
- County: Franklin County
- Key features: Lake Cypress Springs, historic downtown square
Mount Vernon gets overlooked, which keeps prices reasonable for what you get. Lake Cypress Springs has some of the clearest water in Texas, making lakefront property here actually worth the premium. The historic downtown stays busy with antique shops that draw weekend visitors, supporting local businesses. Agricultural exemptions are easy to qualify for with cattle or hay production. Most available land runs 10 to 50 acres, manageable sizes for part-time ranching or recreational use.
Canton (Van Zandt County)
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- Population: 4,841 (2024)
- Location: 60 miles east of Dallas
- County: Van Zandt County
- Key features: First Monday Trade Days (the largest flea market in Texas)
Canton built its reputation on First Monday Trade Days, the massive monthly flea market that brings thousands of visitors. This creates unusual opportunities for property owners who can rent space or run businesses during market weekends. Away from the chaos, Canton offers rolling pastures and scattered lakes. The trick here is finding property far enough from town to avoid traffic but close enough to benefit from the economic activity. Land prices vary widely based on location and road frontage.
Kemp (Kaufman County)
- Population: 1,414 (2024)
- Location: 45 miles southeast of Dallas
- County: Kaufman County
- Key features: Cedar Creek Lake access, affordable lake properties
Kemp serves as the affordable gateway to Cedar Creek Lake, one of Texas’s largest. While lakefront lots command premium prices, property a few miles back stays reasonable. This town works for people who want lake access without lake prices. The area supports both permanent residents and weekend places, creating a mixed market. Basic services exist, but plan on driving to Kaufman or Athens for anything beyond groceries and gas.
Gilmer (Upshur County)
- Population: 5,207 (2024)
- Location: 40 miles from Tyler
- County: Upshur County
- Key features: East Texas Yamboree Festival, pine timber land
Gilmer sits in proper East Texas pine country, where the land grows timber as naturally as grass grows elsewhere. The Yamboree Festival celebrates sweet potatoes, but timber and cattle drive the rural economy. Properties here often come with merchantable timber, providing immediate value. The rolling hills and sandy soil work well for certain crops and excellent for horses. Town services stay basic but functional, with Tyler about 40 minutes away for major needs.
Central Texas Rolling Plains
Baird (Callahan County)
- Population: 1,545 (2024)
- Location: 20 miles east of Abilene on I-20
- County: Callahan County
- Key features: Historic antique district, wind lease potential
Baird represents old-school Texas ranching, sitting along Interstate 20 east of Abilene. The antique shops downtown tell you this town values its history. Land here runs larger, often 50 to 200 acres, because you need more acreage per animal unit in this drier country. Wind lease potential offers additional income opportunities on suitable properties. The proximity to Abilene, just 20 minutes, solves the healthcare and shopping needs while maintaining true rural living.
Coleman (Coleman County)
- Population: 4,042 (2024)
- Location: 55 miles south of Abilene
- County: Coleman County
- Key features: Top deer hunting county, Colorado River access
Coleman County consistently ranks among the top deer hunting destinations in Texas, driving land values and lease rates. The town itself serves as a rural hub, offering services that include a hospital and decent shopping. Properties mix open pasture with oak motts, creating an ideal habitat for wildlife. Stock tanks dot the landscape, providing water for cattle and attracting game. Land typically sells in parcels of 20 to 100 acres, sizes that work well for hunting leases or small cattle operations.
Hamilton (Hamilton County)
- Population: 3,005 (2024)
- Location: 60 miles south of Fort Worth
- County: Hamilton County
- Key features: Dove/quail hunting capital, limestone hills
Hamilton has built its identity around dove and quail hunting, with organized hunts bringing visitors each season. The limestone hills and native grasses create a perfect habitat for ground birds. Properties in this area often include older farmhouses that require renovation but retain character. The county maintains a strong agricultural exemption program, keeping taxes manageable. Town amenities stay limited, but the community supports its local businesses, and Waco is an hour away for primary needs.
Finding Your Piece of Texas with HRC Ranch
We work across all these counties, and dozens more, helping people find land that matches their plans and budget. Each area has its unique quirks, ranging from deed restrictions to mineral rights issues to flood zones that dictate what you can build and where. Our team is familiar with which counties have cooperative appraisal districts, where the best well water sources are located, and which areas have fiber internet available for rural properties.
The best places to live in Texas are not always the most famous or the most beautiful. They are the towns where land still serves a purpose, where you can build the life you want without HOA restrictions or city ordinances telling you what color to paint your barn. We help you navigate the details that matter: soil types for septic systems, fencing laws for livestock, and tax strategies that keep your land affordable in the long term.