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Jefferson County

AL · Pop. 669,744 · Urban County

63/100Homestead Score

Jefferson County sits in Alabama across 1,112 square miles, home to 669,744 people at 602.3 per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, corn. A median home price of $225,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.6% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 230-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.7°F and average winter lows of 35.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 53.7 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Princeton Baptist Medical Center is 4.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 96.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.6%
Growing Season: 230 days
Broadband: 96.3%
Density: 602.3/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 230-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.6% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • Broadband reaches 96.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Princeton Baptist Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 4.8 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A low unemployment rate of 2.9% reflects a stable local job base.

Cons

  • Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
  • Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
  • Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
  • The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
  • At 602.3 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.

At a glance

Jefferson County, AL is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.

Homestead score
63/100
Median home price
$225k
Property tax
0.6%
Growing season
230 days (zone 8a)
Annual rainfall
53.7"
Broadband
96.3%
Nearest hospital
Princeton Baptist Medical Center, 4.8 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.6%
Median Household Income$64,589
Poverty Rate16.3%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$225K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone8a
Growing Season230 days
Annual Rainfall53.7 inches
Avg Summer High89.7°F
Avg Winter Low35.7°F
Top CropsHay, Haylage, Corn

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought3/10
Wildfire8/10
Tornado10/10
Flood10/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalPrinceton Baptist Medical Center (4.8 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities13

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage96.3%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate2.9%
Ag EconomyWeak

Homesteading in Jefferson County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Jefferson County?
Jefferson County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 230-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.7°F, and average winter lows of 35.7°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $225,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.6%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 96.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Princeton Baptist Medical Center is 4.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 13 hospitals in the county.

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Data sources

Verified

Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.