Modoc County
CA · Pop. 8,646 · Rural County
Modoc County is a rural county in California, spanning 3,948 square miles with 8,646 residents at a density of 2.2 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, haylage, wheat. The median home price is $212,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.68%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 79-day growing season, average summer highs of 84°F and average winter lows of 19.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 14.2 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Modoc Medical Center is 11.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 49.8% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is 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.
- Modoc Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 11.9 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on hay, haylage, wheat means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 2.2 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.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A 79-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 14.2 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- Broadband reaches only 49.8% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
At a glance
Modoc County, CA is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 24/100
- Median home price
- $212k
- Property tax
- 0.68%
- Growing season
- 79 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 14.2"
- Broadband
- 49.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Modoc Medical Center, 11.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Modoc County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Modoc County?
- Modoc County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 79-day growing season, average summer highs of 84°F, and average winter lows of 19.6°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $212,000 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 49.8% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Modoc Medical Center is 11.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore California Resources
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LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
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 Modoc 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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