Los Angeles County
CA · Pop. 9,848,406 · Urban County
Los Angeles County is an urban county in California, spanning 4,060 square miles with 9,848,406 residents at a density of 2425.7 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, barley, haylage. The median home price is $783,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.69%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 10a with a 347-day growing season, average summer highs of 85°F and average winter lows of 42.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 17.3 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. USC Verdugo Hills Hospital is 2.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 347-day growing season in USDA zone 10a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.69% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 97.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- USC Verdugo Hills Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 2.7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
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.
- Annual rainfall of just 17.3 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- A median home price of $783,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
At a glance
Los Angeles County, CA is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 21/100
- Median home price
- $783k
- Property tax
- 0.69%
- Growing season
- 347 days (zone 10a)
- Annual rainfall
- 17.3"
- Broadband
- 97.3%
- Nearest hospital
- USC Verdugo Hills Hospital, 2.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Los Angeles County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Los Angeles County?
- Los Angeles County is in USDA hardiness zone 10a with a 347-day growing season, average summer highs of 85°F, and average winter lows of 42.3°F. The established crops are hay, barley, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $783,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.69%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- USC Verdugo Hills Hospital is 2.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 150 hospitals in the county.
Explore California Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in California
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The closest counties to Los Angeles County by distance, including across state lines.
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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