USDA Eligibility Map for Texas

Open USDA's property eligibility map

How do you check a Texas address on the USDA map?

Use the official USDA property eligibility site, pick the Guaranteed program, accept the disclaimer and enter the full address.

1. Go to USDA's property eligibility page.
2. Choose Single Family Housing Guaranteed from the program menu.
3. Read the property eligibility disclaimer and select Accept.
4. Type the full street address, city, Texas and ZIP code, then search.
5. Read the result above the map, and use the zoom and basemap options to see where the boundary falls.

These steps follow USDA's own instructions in HB-1-3555, Attachment 12-A.

What do the map results mean?

"Eligible" means the address is in an eligible rural area, "Ineligible" means it isn't, and "Unable to Determine" means a lender has to confirm with USDA.

The three USDA property results

Result	What it means	What to do next
Eligible	The address is in an area USDA currently treats as rural	Move on to income and credit. The home itself still has to meet property standards.
Ineligible	The address is outside eligible areas	Look at nearby areas that are eligible, or compare FHA or conventional options
Unable to Determine	The area isn't clearly mapped at that point	Your lender confirms with USDA staff before ordering an appraisal

The map checks location only. An "Eligible" result doesn't mean the home, your income or your credit qualifies. Those are separate checks covered on our USDA loan requirements page.

How does USDA decide what is rural?

USDA uses a definition set in federal law: open country and smaller towns not part of an urban area, with population tests, plus some larger towns that lack mortgage credit.

Under HB-1-3555, Chapter 12, an eligible rural area includes:

• Open country that isn't part of, or associated with, an urban area.
• Towns and places that are rural in character with a population under 10,000 and aren't part of an urban area.
• Places outside a Metropolitan Statistical Area with a population between 10,000 and 20,000 that have a serious lack of mortgage credit for lower- and moderate-income families.
• Certain places that were previously rural, have populations up to 35,000, and keep their designation until the 2030 census data, if they still meet the law's conditions.

USDA applies that definition and draws the map. It's why a small town can be ineligible because it's tied to a nearby city, while an outer subdivision can be eligible.

Can a Texas suburb be USDA eligible?

Yes. Areas at the outer edges of Texas metros are sometimes eligible, and the only reliable check is the exact address.

Texas is large and growing quickly, and eligible boundaries often sit closer to the big metros than buyers expect. A few practical tips:

• Search the address, not the city. Two homes with the same city name and ZIP code can get different results.
• Zoom in near boundaries. If a subdivision sits on an edge, check the specific lot address when it has one.
• New construction. Builders sometimes advertise "USDA eligible" communities. Check each address yourself, and ask your lender to confirm.
• Income is separate. An eligible address in a county with a higher income limit still needs your household to fit that limit. See USDA income limits in Texas.

Does the USDA map change?

Yes. USDA reviews rural designations periodically and after each census, and gives public notice before a final change.

The handbook says USDA reviews designations every five years, and every three years in rapidly growing areas and in eligible communities inside Metropolitan Statistical Areas. USDA gives public notice at least 30 days before a final determination. If an area changes to ineligible while you're buying there, USDA has transition rules. Generally, a purchase can continue if your application was received and your contract was signed before the change, and the file meets the handbook's other conditions. Conditional Commitments already issued are honored, and existing USDA loans in the area stay eligible to refinance. See USDA refinance in Texas.

What if the address is ineligible?

You can widen your search to nearby eligible areas, or compare loan programs that don't have a location test.

Danny Nassar, NMLS 220172, originates conventional, FHA and VA loans as well as USDA loans, so if a home you love is just outside an eligible area, you can compare options in one conversation. Start with USDA vs FHA or USDA vs conventional, or call 512-743-5512.

Source: USDA Handbook HB-1-3555, Chapter 12, Section 12.3 and Attachment 12-A. All loans subject to credit and property approval.

Frequently asked questions

Is the USDA eligibility map the same as the income tool?

No. The map checks the property's location. The income tool, on the same USDA website, checks your household income against the county limit. You need to pass both.

Why does the map say "Unable to Determine"?

It appears where an area isn't clearly mapped. Your lender has to confirm the property's eligibility with USDA staff before ordering the appraisal.

Are any big Texas cities eligible?

The central parts of large Texas cities generally aren't eligible, but some areas on the edges of metros can be. Always check the exact address.

Can a home lose USDA eligibility while I'm buying it?

If an area's designation changes, USDA has transition rules. A purchase generally can continue if your application and signed contract came before the change and the file meets the other conditions in the handbook.

Is the USDA map accurate?

It's USDA's official public tool, but USDA's own disclaimer says its results may not be accurate or complete, and the final property eligibility determination is made by USDA during the loan process.

Talk with Danny about your Texas USDA loan

Tell Danny the county you're buying in and who lives in your household. He'll walk you through the USDA rules that apply to you and the next steps.

Call 512-743-5512Send an inquiry

All loans subject to credit and property approval.