Bradford County
FL · Pop. 27,888 · Suburban County
Bradford County is a suburban county in Florida, spanning 294 square miles with 27,888 residents at a density of 94.9 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, greens. The median home price is $180,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.57%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 275-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.6°F and average winter lows of 42.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 52.3 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. North Florida Regional Medical Center Starke Campus is 4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 73.9% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 275-day growing season in USDA zone 9a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.57% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $180,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- North Florida Regional Medical Center Starke Campus, with an emergency room, is just 4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- Annual rainfall of 52.3 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 73.9% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- A poverty rate of 19.1% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Bradford County, FL is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 82/100
- Median home price
- $180k
- Property tax
- 0.57%
- Growing season
- 275 days (zone 9a)
- Annual rainfall
- 52.3"
- Broadband
- 73.9%
- Nearest hospital
- North Florida Regional Medical Center Starke Campus, 4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Bradford County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Bradford County?
- Bradford County is in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 275-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.6°F, and average winter lows of 42.4°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, greens.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $180,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.57%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 73.9% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- North Florida Regional Medical Center Starke Campus is 4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Florida Resources
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More counties in Florida
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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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