A Small Red River Valley Town with Deep Roots and Quiet Country Living

Annona is a rural Red River County community of approximately 561 residents with a median household income of $61,875 according to Census Bureau estimates. The town has no formally mapped neighborhoods, reflecting its agricultural character and scattered settlement pattern. With median rent at $517 monthly and a homeownership rate of 70 percent, Annona offers some of the most affordable housing in Texas. Red River County's economy centers on healthcare, manufacturing, and construction, with no incorporated school district data available for the immediate Annona area.

History

Annona's history reaches back to the 1830s and 1850s when families like the Wagleys and Warthans migrated from Louisiana and Alabama to farm the Red River Valley. Salem Baptist Church, organized in 1856, and the pioneer cemeteries scattered across the landscape preserve the memory of those founding families whose descendants still live in the area today.

ZIP Codes Compared

Annona's small size and lack of formal neighborhood divisions means housing stock is relatively uniform throughout the area. Properties tend toward single-family homes on larger lots, with variation coming primarily from land acreage rather than distinct neighborhood characteristics.

Demographics

Annona's population skews older with a median age of 45.1 years, and the community is predominantly White at 54.7 percent, with significant Hispanic and Black populations at 24.2 and 18.5 percent respectively. Educational attainment is lower than state averages, with just 9.2 percent holding bachelor's degrees, reflecting the town's working-class and agricultural character.

Economy

Red River County employment concentrates in healthcare and social assistance with 467 employees, followed by manufacturing at 352 workers earning an average of $46,722 annually. Construction and wholesale trade offer the highest average wages in the county at $67,425 and $66,114 respectively, though these sectors employ fewer workers overall.

Schools

School district information for Annona is not available in current records, though families in this area typically attend Red River County schools. Prospective residents should contact the county education office directly to determine attendance zones and campus assignments for their specific address.

Cost of Living

With median rent at $517 monthly, Annona offers housing costs dramatically below both state and national averages. The overall cost of living reflects rural Northeast Texas economics, where property is affordable but residents may face higher transportation costs due to distance from urban employment and shopping centers.

Homeowners Associations

Annona has no registered homeowners associations, consistent with its rural character where properties tend to be larger tracts with fewer deed restrictions. This means greater freedom in land use but also means fewer shared amenities and organized neighborhood services.

About Annona

Annona sits in the agricultural heart of Red River County, a town of roughly 560 residents where the pace of life moves slower and neighbors still know each other by name. The community traces its origins to the mid-1850s when settlers like George Washington Warthan arrived from Alabama and Louisiana, establishing farms and family cemeteries that still dot the countryside today. The Warthan Cemetery, founded after G.W. and Amanda Johnson Warthan settled in the Red River Valley in 1855, remains a testament to those early pioneer families who cleared the land and built a life here. Similarly, the Garland Cemetery marks where Joseph and Martha Starks Wagley raised eight children after arriving from Louisiana in 1833, anchoring what would become a lasting community south of present-day Annona.

Life in Annona centers around simplicity and self-reliance. With a median age above 45 and a homeownership rate of 70 percent, this is a town where people put down roots and stay. The nearest substantial employment centers lie outside town limits, with many residents commuting to jobs in construction, manufacturing, and wholesale trade throughout Red River County. Salem Baptist Church, organized in 1856 by Reverend Thomas Wilson Anderson with twelve charter members, represents the kind of institution that has anchored community life here for generations. The church relocated over the years but continues serving families whose ancestors were among those original members.

The housing market reflects Annona's rural character, with median rent at just over $500 monthly and a cost of living well below state averages. This is a place for people seeking land, privacy, and a connection to the agricultural traditions that built Northeast Texas. You won't find shopping centers or restaurant rows here, but you will find space to breathe, affordable property, and a community that values the kind of stability that comes from generations living on the same land their great-grandparents farmed.

Classification

Type

Incorporated Place

Class Code

C1

Identifiers

GEOID

4803360

State FIPS

48

Place FIPS

03360

Statistics

Neighborhoods

0

Population

244

Geography

Geometry

polygon

Area

2 km²

County

Red River

Data Source

Primary Source

tiger

Census Reference

QuickFacts

Frequently Asked Questions About Annona

Is Annona a good place to live?

Annona suits people seeking genuine rural living with affordable property and a slower pace of life. With a population around 561 and a median household income of $61,875 according to Census Bureau data, this is a working-class community where 70 percent of residents own their homes and the median age sits above 45 years. The town offers virtually no commercial amenities within its borders, meaning residents drive to nearby communities for shopping, dining, and services. What Annona does offer is space, quiet, and the kind of neighborly atmosphere that comes from generations of families living on the same land. If you value privacy, affordable housing with median rent at $517 monthly, and connection to Northeast Texas agricultural traditions, Annona provides exactly that. If you need walkable amenities, cultural attractions, or nearby employment centers, you'll find this town too isolated and limited in services.

What is the cost of living in Annona?

Annona ranks among the most affordable places to live in Texas, with median rent at just $517 monthly according to Census estimates, dramatically below state and national averages. Housing costs remain low whether renting or buying, reflecting both the rural location and limited demand for property in small Northeast Texas towns. Red River County employment data shows average wages ranging from $25,742 in retail trade to $67,425 in construction, with most jobs paying in the $30,000 to $50,000 range annually. The tradeoff for low housing costs comes in transportation expenses, as residents typically commute outside Annona for work and drive significant distances for shopping, healthcare, and services. Grocery and consumer goods may also cost slightly more due to distance from distribution centers and lack of competitive retail options. Overall, the cost of living favors anyone willing to embrace rural life and accept the isolation that comes with genuine small-town Texas living.

How are the schools in Annona?

Specific school district data for Annona is not available in current records, which is common for very small Texas communities that may fall within larger consolidated districts serving multiple towns. Red River County operates schools throughout the area, but attendance zones and campus assignments depend on precise property locations. Prospective residents should contact Red River County school administration directly to determine which elementary, middle, and high schools serve specific addresses in and around Annona. The town's educational attainment statistics show just 9.2 percent of residents hold bachelor's degrees, well below state averages, reflecting both the community's working-class character and historical patterns where agricultural work didn't require college education. Families prioritizing school quality and variety of academic programs may find limited options in this rural area compared to larger Texas towns with multiple campuses and specialized programs.

Is Annona good for families?

Annona works for families seeking rural upbringing for their children, with safe streets, affordable housing, and the kind of outdoor space that's increasingly rare in Texas. The homeownership rate of 70 percent indicates stability, and the median age of 45.1 years suggests this is a community where people establish long-term roots. Children growing up here experience genuine small-town life with room to roam and close-knit community connections, though they'll lack the organized activities, sports leagues, and cultural programs common in larger towns. The absence of detailed school data makes it difficult to assess educational quality, which is often a primary concern for families choosing where to live. Parents should also consider that teenagers may feel isolated without the social opportunities, part-time job options, and extracurricular variety available in more populated areas. Families who value land, affordability, and raising children in a quiet agricultural setting will appreciate what Annona offers, while those prioritizing educational resources and youth activities may find the town too limited.

Considering a Move to Annona or Red River County?

Finding property in small Texas towns requires local knowledge and connections that go beyond online listings. A Texas Ally advisor can help you navigate the Red River County market, identify available land and homes, and connect you with the resources you need to make a rural move successful.