The Bains

For more information on this subject go to Texas AgriLife Extension Service’s website to learn more
about shrinking tracts in rural Texas. There is a loss of 2.1 million acres of agricultural lands since
1997. 50% converted to other uses concentrated in the state’s 50 highest-growth counties. These counties lost more than one million acres while increasing population by just over four million
residents. In South TX & the Edwards Plateau, state’s rural lands continue to be divided into
smaller acreages, but in the northern areas some 2.5 million acres were consolidated into larger
operations. TX land values increased to an average of $1,196 per acres, although much higher near metropolitan areas.