Washington County, TX Land Prices Per Acre (2026): What the Data Says and What Moves the Number

By Brad Bevers, owner, Legend Texas Properties, Chappell Hill. Data checked October 19, 2026.

Washington County land of 10 acres or more, with no house or barn, sold for a median of about $29,000 an acre over the past year, based on 31 closed sales in the Houston-area MLS (HAR). Tracts of 2 to 10 acres brought a median of about $88,600 an acre, driven largely by new-subdivision homesites near Brenham and Chappell Hill. If you search "price per acre Washington County Texas," though, the published numbers range from about $2,000 to just over $11,000 an acre. They aren't all wrong. They measure different things, and most of them are too broad to price a tract near Brenham or Chappell Hill. This page explains what each published figure is, where it comes from, and why one tract near Brenham or Chappell Hill can sell for far more or far less than any county average.

Raw land sold per acre, Washington County and neighbors (Oct 2025 to Oct 2026)

Closed sales of land with no house, barn, or shop, from HAR MLS data, checked October 19, 2026. Medians are per acre; sale counts are in parentheses.

We'll update these figures every six months.

The published numbers, side by side

Washington County falls in TRERC's Gulf Coast–Brazos Bottom region (Region 5), within its Brazos land market area (TRERC rural land data). The $11,369 figure is a median for the whole 31-county region, which stretches from Brazos County to the coast, and it reflects tracts around 139 acres. That's why it runs well below what smaller tracts near Brenham and Chappell Hill are bringing. TRERC also says plainly that its statistics "do not represent prices or values of any particular farm or ranch" and are no substitute for an appraisal (TRERC).

Why the numbers disagree

• Tract size. Small homesite tracts usually bring more per acre than large pasture. TRERC's regional median reflects tracts around 139 acres. A 10-acre tract off FM 1371 is a different market.
• Old vs. current data. The USDA figure is from 2022. TRERC is updated quarterly.
• What's included. "Land and buildings" counts houses and barns. An automated estimate may not know that a tract has a new well or a pond.
• Use. Recreational and homesite demand between Houston and Austin is different from cropland economics. Cash rents of $14–$21 an acre are a reminder that most buyers here aren't paying for farm income.

What moves the price on a specific Washington County tract

These are the same items in our Washington County Farm & Ranch Buyer Guide:

• Road frontage and legal access. Paved frontage versus a private easement.
• Water. Public or community water versus a well, and the well's age and capacity.
• Improvements. House, barn, fencing, ponds, and electric service.
• Floodplain and topography. Creek bottom versus hilltop views.
• Ag (1-d-1) valuation. This affects carrying cost, not the sale price itself. Confirm it with the Washington County Appraisal District.
• Minerals. In Texas, minerals are often severed from the surface.
• Distance to Brenham, Chappell Hill, and US-290.

How to get a real number for a tract you like

1. Ask for recent closed comparable sales of similar size and use, not list prices.
2. Adjust for water, access, and improvements.
3. On financed deals, expect a farm and ranch appraisal that leans on judgment, because true comps are scarce. See our farm and ranch financing post.
4. Talk to someone who closes Washington County acreage regularly.

Legend Texas Properties (formerly Bevers Real Estate, founded 1981) is a Chappell Hill brokerage with 20+ agents. We handle farm and ranch, commercial, and residential property from our office at 7701 Highway 290 East. Brad Bevers, owner, wrote The Texas Farm and Ranch Guide, a free buyer's guide you can request at texasfarmandranchbook.com. Call (979) 830-1180 for a free broker price opinion on a tract you're considering.

Washington County land price FAQ

What is the average price per acre in Washington County, TX in 2026?
No single official county figure exists. Over the past year, Washington County land of 10+ acres with no improvements sold for a median of about $29,000 per acre, and 2 to 10 acre tracts for about $88,600 per acre (HAR MLS closed sales). The Texas Real Estate Research Center's broader 2Q 2026 median for the 31-county Gulf Coast–Brazos Bottom region is $11,369 per acre for larger rural tracts. The USDA's 2022 Census put Washington County farmland and buildings at $4,646 per acre. A specific tract depends on size, water, access, and improvements.

Are Washington County land prices still going up?
TRERC reported Region 5 prices up 3.05% year over year in 2Q 2026, "near record levels" and in a "steady, high-priced equilibrium." Statewide prices were flat from the prior quarter. TRERC's baseline forecast calls for small near-term increases, then flat to slightly lower prices.

Why do small tracts near Brenham cost more per acre?
Small homesite tracts compete with buyers looking for a place to live or a weekend place. Larger tracts are priced more on land use. TRERC's regional median reflects tracts around 139 acres, so expect smaller parcels to price differently.

Does ag exemption change what I should pay per acre?
1-d-1 ag valuation lowers property taxes while qualifying use continues. It does not set the sale price. Confirm the tract's status with the Washington County Appraisal District before relying on it.

Who can help me price a Washington County farm or ranch?
A local specialist with recent closed comps. Legend Texas Properties, a Chappell Hill brokerage with 20+ agents led by owner Brad Bevers, works Washington County farm and ranch every week. See our buyer guide or texasfarmandranchbook.com.