Shasta County
CA · Pop. 181,554 · Suburban County
Shasta County sits in California across 3,776 square miles, home to 181,554 people at 48.1 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, wild rice, haylage. A median home price of $347,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.7% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9b with a 321-day growing season, average summer highs of 92°F and average winter lows of 40.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 63.6 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Shasta Regional Medical Center is 21.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 91.9% 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.
Pros
- A long 321-day growing season in USDA zone 9b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.7% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 91.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
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.
- The nearest hospital, Shasta Regional Medical Center, is 21.7 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Shasta County, CA is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 44/100
- Median home price
- $347k
- Property tax
- 0.7%
- Growing season
- 321 days (zone 9b)
- Annual rainfall
- 63.6"
- Broadband
- 91.9%
- Nearest hospital
- Shasta Regional Medical Center, 21.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Shasta County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Shasta County?
- Shasta County is in USDA hardiness zone 9b with a 321-day growing season, average summer highs of 92°F, and average winter lows of 40.3°F. The established crops are hay, wild rice, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $347,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.7%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 91.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Shasta Regional Medical Center is 21.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 6 hospitals in the county.
Explore California Resources
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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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