Tehama County
CA · Pop. 65,520 · Rural County
Tehama County is a rural county in California, spanning 2,949 square miles with 65,520 residents at a density of 22.2 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, corn. The median home price is $316,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.63%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 283-day growing season, average summer highs of 94.3°F and average winter lows of 38.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 24.5 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. St. Elizabeth Community Hospital is 1.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 92.7% 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 283-day growing season in USDA zone 9a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.63% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 92.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- St. Elizabeth Community Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 1.7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- At 22.2 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
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 agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Tehama County, CA is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 61/100
- Median home price
- $316k
- Property tax
- 0.63%
- Growing season
- 283 days (zone 9a)
- Annual rainfall
- 24.5"
- Broadband
- 92.7%
- Nearest hospital
- St. Elizabeth Community Hospital, 1.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Tehama County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Tehama County?
- Tehama County is in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 283-day growing season, average summer highs of 94.3°F, and average winter lows of 38.7°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $316,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.63%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 92.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- St. Elizabeth Community Hospital is 1.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore California Resources
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LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
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 Tehama 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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