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Placer County

CA · Pop. 412,435 · Mixed County

16/100Homestead Score

Placer County is a mixed rural-suburban county in California, spanning 1,407 square miles with 412,435 residents at a density of 293.1 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, rice, tomatoes. The median home price is $659,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.85%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 232-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.7°F and average winter lows of 35.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 54 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital is 20.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 96.8% 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.

Property Tax: 0.85%
Growing Season: 232 days
Broadband: 96.8%
Density: 293.1/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 232-day growing season in USDA zone 9a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.85% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • Broadband reaches 96.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • A low poverty rate of 6.7% 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.
  • Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
  • A median home price of $659,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
  • The nearest hospital, Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital, is 20.8 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.

At a glance

Placer County, CA is a challenging place to homestead on the data.

Homestead score
16/100
Median home price
$659k
Property tax
0.85%
Growing season
232 days (zone 9a)
Annual rainfall
54"
Broadband
96.8%
Nearest hospital
Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital, 20.8 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.85%
Median Household Income$114,678
Poverty Rate6.7%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$659K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone9a
Growing Season232 days
Annual Rainfall54 inches
Avg Summer High87.7°F
Avg Winter Low35.1°F
Top CropsHay, Rice, Tomatoes

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought9/10
Wildfire10/10
Tornado3/10
Flood10/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalSierra Nevada Memorial Hospital (20.8 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities4

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage96.8%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate4.3%
Ag EconomyWeak

Homesteading in Placer County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Placer County?
Placer County is in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 232-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.7°F, and average winter lows of 35.1°F. The established crops are hay, rice, tomatoes.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $659,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.85%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 96.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital is 20.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 4 hospitals in the county.

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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.