San Francisco County
CA · Pop. 836,321 · Urban County
San Francisco County, California covers 47 square miles with a population of 836,321 and a density of 17794.1 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. A median home price of $1,381,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.68% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 10a with a 365-day growing season, average summer highs of 61.7°F and average winter lows of 45.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 38.3 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Kentfield Hospital is 30.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 100% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 365-day growing season in USDA zone 10a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.68% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A low poverty rate of 10.6% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- 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 $1,381,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- The nearest hospital, Kentfield Hospital, is 30.7 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- At 17794.1 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
San Francisco County, CA is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 27/100
- Median home price
- $1381k
- Property tax
- 0.68%
- Growing season
- 365 days (zone 10a)
- Annual rainfall
- 38.3"
- Broadband
- 100%
- Nearest hospital
- Kentfield Hospital, 30.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in San Francisco County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in San Francisco County?
- San Francisco County is in USDA hardiness zone 10a with a 365-day growing season, average summer highs of 61.7°F, and average winter lows of 45.6°F.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $1,381,000 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 100% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Kentfield Hospital is 30.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 25 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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The closest counties to San Francisco 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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