Nevada County
CA · Pop. 102,452 · Mixed County
Nevada County, California covers 958 square miles with a population of 102,452 and a density of 106.9 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on haylage, hay, lettuce. The median home price is $603,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.74%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 189-day growing season, average summer highs of 74.2°F and average winter lows of 34.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 64.6 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital is 15.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 90.9% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 189-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.74% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 90.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Annual rainfall of 64.6 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
- A low poverty rate of 10.6% signals a relatively stable local economy.
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.
- A median home price of $603,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Nevada County, CA is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 34/100
- Median home price
- $603k
- Property tax
- 0.74%
- Growing season
- 189 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 64.6"
- Broadband
- 90.9%
- Nearest hospital
- Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital, 15.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Nevada County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Nevada County?
- Nevada County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 189-day growing season, average summer highs of 74.2°F, and average winter lows of 34.1°F. The established crops are haylage, hay, lettuce.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $603,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.74%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 90.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital is 15.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals 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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