Sierra County
CA · Pop. 2,731 · Rural County
Sierra County is a rural county in California, spanning 953 square miles with 2,731 residents at a density of 2.9 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, lettuce. A median home price of $334,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.78% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 166-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.7°F and average winter lows of 18.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 66.4 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Eastern Plumas Hospital - Portola Campus is 16.1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 37.7% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.78% holds annual carrying costs down.
- At 2.9 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- Annual rainfall of 66.4 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Broadband reaches only 37.7% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Sierra County, CA is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 37/100
- Median home price
- $334k
- Property tax
- 0.78%
- Growing season
- 166 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 66.4"
- Broadband
- 37.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Eastern Plumas Hospital - Portola Campus, 16.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Sierra County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Sierra County?
- Sierra County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 166-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.7°F, and average winter lows of 18.4°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, lettuce.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $334,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.78%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 37.7% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Eastern Plumas Hospital - Portola Campus is 16.1 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
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in California
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The closest counties to Sierra 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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