The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 79346 sells for about $54,000, or $45 per square foot.
Prices are up +2.5% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 120 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $900 a month.
ZIP 79346 — Morton
The housing market in 79346 remains stable with very low transaction volume and affordable entry prices. Market activity is driven by local demand and agricultural employment, with little speculative pressure or new development.
This ZIP is best suited for local agricultural workers, budget-conscious buyers seeking low entry prices, and investors looking for value-add opportunities in rural Texas.
Median prices moved up 2.5% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 120 days on market with 7.5 months of supply — a slower-moving market.
12% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 96% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 5.5% · poverty 19.0% — a mixed stability profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 2.8%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 3.2%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
net outflow — more people moved out than in
ZCTA 79346, Cochran County TX
Crime rates in Morton are generally low and consistent with rural West Texas trends, though specific localized data is limited.
The area is served by Morton ISD, which provides essential educational services for the small rural population.
The region faces risks typical of the High Plains, including drought, windstorms, and occasional severe weather events.
The local economy is heavily anchored by agriculture, specifically cotton farming, and regional petroleum operations.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (Texas) — Senior (65+) and Disabled Homestead Exemption and School Tax Ceiling: Grants an additional mandatory $10,000 exemption from ISD appraised value (Taxable Value_ISD = Appraised Value - $100,000 - $10,000) and establishes an absolute statutory tax freeze (school tax ceiling): total ISD property taxes cannot exceed the dollar ceiling established in the… State (Texas) — General Residence Homestead Exemption and 10% Valuation Growth Cap: Imposes mandatory state-level valuation deductions and growth limitations on the qualifying homestead: (1) Mandates a $100,000 deduction from appraised value for independent school district (ISD) maintenance and operations/debt taxation: Taxable Value_ISD = Appraised Value - $100… State (Texas) — Ad Valorem Real Property Taxation and Assessment Ratio: Mandates ad valorem appraisal of all real property at 100% of fair market value as of January 1 each tax year (Assessment Ratio = 1.00).
Commutes are primarily local within Cochran County, with longer drives required to reach larger employment hubs like Lubbock.
Recreation is centered on local community parks and high school sports, with limited commercial shopping and dining options available.
The rental market is characterized by low inventory and steady demand from local workers, with limited turnover.
The economy is primarily driven by the agricultural sector, particularly cotton production, and support services for the regional oil and gas industry.
Transportation relies on state highways connecting Morton to neighboring rural communities and the broader South Plains region.
There are no major large-scale commercial or residential developments currently planned for the immediate area.
The Cochran County Appraisal District manages property assessments, focusing on agricultural valuations and residential property tax rolls.
Parcels are subject to Cochran County, Morton ISD, and regional hospital district tax levies.
Property insurance premiums are influenced by regional weather risks, including wind and hail exposure common to the Texas Panhandle.
Net domestic migration in rural West Texas counties has remained relatively flat or slightly negative due to urbanization trends.
Texas operates under a non-judicial foreclosure process, allowing for relatively efficient lender recovery timelines.
Texas law requires sellers to provide a standard Seller's Disclosure Notice regarding the condition of the property.
Data retrieved from US Census Bureau ZCTA-level tables.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
Primary local green space for community gatherings and recreation.
Historic anchor of the county seat.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.