Mono County
CA · Pop. 13,169 · Rural County
Mono County, California covers 3,049 square miles with a population of 13,169 and a density of 4.3 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay. The median home price is $514,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.77%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 86-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.9°F and average winter lows of 20.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 15.7 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Mammoth Hospital is 19.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 85.2% 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 0.77% holds annual carrying costs down.
- At 4.3 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low poverty rate of 11% 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.
- A 86-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 15.7 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- A median home price of $514,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
At a glance
Mono County, CA is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 20/100
- Median home price
- $514k
- Property tax
- 0.77%
- Growing season
- 86 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 15.7"
- Broadband
- 85.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Mammoth Hospital, 19.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Mono County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Mono County?
- Mono County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 86-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.9°F, and average winter lows of 20.9°F. The established crops are hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $514,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.77%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 85.2% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Mammoth Hospital is 19.4 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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