Mariposa County
CA · Pop. 17,060 · Rural County
Mariposa County is a rural county in California, spanning 1,449 square miles with 17,060 residents at a density of 11.8 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, tomatoes, melons. A median home price of $358,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.68% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 142-day growing season, average summer highs of 72.2°F and average winter lows of 30.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 41.7 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. John C. Fremont Healthcare District is 6.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 14.8% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.68% holds annual carrying costs down.
- John C. Fremont Healthcare District, with an emergency room, is just 6.3 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- At 11.8 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.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A 142-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- A median home price of $358,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
At a glance
Mariposa County, CA is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 32/100
- Median home price
- $358k
- Property tax
- 0.68%
- Growing season
- 142 days (zone 9a)
- Annual rainfall
- 41.7"
- Broadband
- 14.8%
- Nearest hospital
- John C. Fremont Healthcare District, 6.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Mariposa County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Mariposa County?
- Mariposa County is in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 142-day growing season, average summer highs of 72.2°F, and average winter lows of 30.9°F. The established crops are hay, tomatoes, melons.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $358,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.68%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 14.8% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- John C. Fremont Healthcare District is 6.3 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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The closest counties to Mariposa 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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