Colusa County
CA · Pop. 21,895 · Rural County
Colusa County sits in California across 1,151 square miles, home to 21,895 people at 19 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on rice, hay, tomatoes. A median home price of $375,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.66% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9b with a 295-day growing season, average summer highs of 91°F and average winter lows of 39.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 17.8 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Colusa Medical Center is 12.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.2% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 295-day growing season in USDA zone 9b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.66% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 97.2% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- At 19 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low poverty rate of 10.8% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- Annual rainfall of just 17.8 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- A median home price of $375,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
At a glance
Colusa County, CA is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 56/100
- Median home price
- $375k
- Property tax
- 0.66%
- Growing season
- 295 days (zone 9b)
- Annual rainfall
- 17.8"
- Broadband
- 97.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Colusa Medical Center, 12.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Colusa County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Colusa County?
- Colusa County is in USDA hardiness zone 9b with a 295-day growing season, average summer highs of 91°F, and average winter lows of 39.5°F. The established crops are rice, hay, tomatoes.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $375,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.66%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97.2% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Colusa Medical Center is 12.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore California Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in California
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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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