Gila County
AZ · Pop. 53,610 · Rural County
Gila County sits in Arizona across 4,758 square miles, home to 53,610 people at 11.3 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, peppers. A median home price of $247,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.54% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 296-day growing season, average summer highs of 101.7°F and average winter lows of 36.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 16.5 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center is 26.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 82.1% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 296-day growing season in USDA zone 9a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.54% holds annual carrying costs down.
- At 11.3 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- Annual rainfall of just 16.5 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- The nearest hospital, Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center, is 26.5 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Gila County, AZ is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 56/100
- Median home price
- $247k
- Property tax
- 0.54%
- Growing season
- 296 days (zone 9a)
- Annual rainfall
- 16.5"
- Broadband
- 82.1%
- Nearest hospital
- Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center, 26.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Gila County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Gila County?
- Gila County is in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 296-day growing season, average summer highs of 101.7°F, and average winter lows of 36.4°F. The established crops are hay, peppers.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $247,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.54%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 82.1% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center is 26.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
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More counties in Arizona
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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.
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