Medicare in Houston County by the numbers
| Houston County | Texas | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 4,956 | 4,188,063 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 22.5% | 13.7% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 5,827 | 5,048,909 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 2,990 | 2,770,279 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 51.3% | 54.9% statewide |
Sources: Census Bureau 2023 estimates and CMS Medicare Advantage penetration, September 2026.
With roughly 4,956 residents age 65 and older, Houston County is 101st among 254 Texas counties for older residents. That group is 22.5% of its population, compared with 13.7% across Texas. Another 1,517 residents are age 60 to 64 and will reach Medicare eligibility within about five years (see our turning 65 guide). By age, the 65-and-older group splits 56% ages 65 to 74, 33% ages 75 to 84 and 12% age 85 and up (Census 2023). Medicare Advantage enrollment in Houston County is 51.3% of people with Medicare, close to the Texas average of 54.9%. A county average does not tell you which kind of plan fits you. Whether Medicare Advantage or Original Medicare with a Medigap plan is the better fit depends on your doctors, your prescriptions and how you want to handle costs, so we compare both for your ZIP code.
Who has Medicare in Houston County
The USDA classifies Houston County as: urban population of 5,000 to 20,000, not adjacent to a metro area. In counties of this type, people often travel to a larger neighboring county for specialists, so we check whether your plan’s network reaches there.
CMS counts 5,958 Medicare beneficiaries in Houston County (2023). Their average age is 73, about the same as the Texas average of 73. About 12% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, close to the state figure of 11%.
Among people in Original Medicare in Houston County, CMS reported about 601 emergency room visits and 216 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is close to the state average for emergency visits (580) and close to it for hospital stays (226). About 10% received home health care. These figures describe how people use care under Original Medicare; they do not show what any plan covers or costs.
Sources: CMS Medicare Geographic Variation, 2023; USDA Rural-Urban Continuum Codes, 2023.
Insurers choose which counties to serve each year, which means the Medicare Advantage and Part D plans you can pick in Houston County can be different from the ones offered next door. We are not based in Houston County; we help Houston County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Houston County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Houston County:
- Crockett Medical Center — Crockett (critical access; physician-owned; emergency services)
A hospital being in the county does not mean every plan covers it. Medicare Advantage networks differ by plan, so we check the hospitals and doctors you actually use before you enroll. Ratings are CMS Care Compare overall hospital star ratings; they describe the hospital, not whether a plan covers it. Source: CMS Hospital General Information.
Communities and ZIP codes in Houston County
Census Bureau 2023 estimates put the biggest communities in Houston County at Crockett (6,286), Grapeland (1,487), Lovelady (584), Kennard (281), Latexo (239), counting only the part of each community inside the county.
ZIP codes that fall mostly inside Houston County include 75835, 75844, 75847, 75849, 75851, 75856, 75858. Plan availability can change by ZIP code, so have yours ready when we compare plans.
Questions about Medicare in Houston County?
Reach out to us: fill out our short form or call (571) 354-0146, and a licensed agent will compare the plans available to you, check your doctors and drugs, and stay with you each year at renewal. For general Medicare information, the federal helpline is 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Medicare resources from official sources
- Medicare Plan Finder on Medicare.gov, searchable by ZIP code.
- Social Security: Medicare to enroll or check status.
- Medicare.gov: Medigap on how Medicare Supplement works.
- HealthCare.gov if you are not yet on Medicare.
- Texas Department of Insurance: Texas’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Houston County residents
As an independent agency we are not tied to one insurer, so for Houston County residents we can compare ACA health insurance, ICHRA, group health insurance, life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap) and Part D drug plans.
Ready to compare plans in Houston County?
Tell us your doctors and medicines and we will show you what fits. No cost, no pressure.
Get my plan comparisonPlain-English Medicare answers
- What happens if you do nothing during open enrollment?
- Medicare Parts A, B, C and D explained
- Do you really need a Medicare agent?
- When can you switch Medicare plans? Every enrollment window
Houston County compared with similar Texas counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Titus County | 4,823 | 49.6% | 13% | Smaller city/town |
| Limestone County | 4,707 | 52.9% | 18% | Smaller city/town |
| Panola County | 4,699 | 48.9% | 9% | Smaller city/town |
| Montague County | 4,698 | 36.9% | 9% | Smaller city/town |
| Hale County | 4,571 | 50.9% | 12% | Smaller city/town |
| Shelby County | 4,446 | 53.1% | 14% | Smaller city/town |
See every Texas county in our Texas directory or go to our Texas Medicare hub.