The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 77861 sells for about $278,500, or $142 per square foot.
Prices are down 2.4% from a year ago, which gives buyers more room to negotiate. Homes take about 88 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,250 a month.
ZIP 77861
The 77861 market is currently experiencing a period of stagnation with low transaction volume and a slight year-over-year price decline. High interest rates and limited local economic growth are suppressing demand, making this a challenging environment for sellers and investors alike.
This ZIP is best suited for rural-lifestyle seekers, retirees, or local workers who prioritize affordability and space over proximity to urban amenities.
Median prices moved down 2.4% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 88 days on market with 6.2 months of supply — a balanced-paced market.
12% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 96.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 4.2% · poverty 11.8% — a stable, low-distress 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 6.0%/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 5.7%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
ZCTA 77861, Grimes County TX
The area is served by the Iola Independent School District, which maintains a small-town educational environment with limited extracurricular variety compared to larger regional districts.
The region is subject to standard Texas wildfire risks and occasional severe storm activity; flood risk is localized to areas near Ragan Creek.
Economic momentum is limited, with the area primarily serving as a rural residential base for commuters working in Bryan-College Station or Huntsville.
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).
Residents typically face a 30-45 minute drive to reach major employment hubs in Bryan or Huntsville via FM 39 and state highway corridors.
Recreational opportunities are primarily rural, including local fishing and hunting access, with limited commercial shopping or dining options within a 3-mile radius.
The rental market is thin with low turnover, primarily consisting of single-family homes; vacancy pressure is low due to limited supply.
The local economy is heavily reliant on agriculture and small-scale service industries, with most professional employment located outside the ZIP in larger county seats.
Transportation is entirely dependent on private vehicles; there is no public transit infrastructure.
There are no major commercial or residential master-planned developments currently under construction in the ZIP.
The Grimes Central Appraisal District manages property assessments, typically reflecting rural land valuations and residential improvements.
Parcels are subject to Iola ISD taxes and standard county-level hospital and emergency service district assessments.
Property insurance premiums are rising in line with broader Texas trends due to increased exposure to severe weather events.
Texas operates under a non-judicial foreclosure doctrine, allowing for expedited processes following proper notice.
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.
Local waterway providing rural scenic value.
Key-figure check: median price corroborated by the published ten-year series (2024) (within 12.5%).