Clay County
FL · Pop. 223,436 · Mixed County
Clay County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Florida, spanning 605 square miles with 223,436 residents at a density of 369.3 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, tomatoes, lettuce. The median home price is $282,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.74%. 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. Ascension St Vincent's Clay County is 8.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 94.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very 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 0.74% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 94.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Ascension St Vincent's Clay County, with an emergency room, is just 8.7 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.
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
- At 369.3 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Clay County, FL is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 62/100
- Median home price
- $282k
- Property tax
- 0.74%
- Growing season
- 275 days (zone 9a)
- Annual rainfall
- 52.3"
- Broadband
- 94.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Ascension St Vincent's Clay County, 8.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Clay County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Clay County?
- Clay 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, tomatoes, lettuce.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $282,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.74%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 94.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Ascension St Vincent's Clay County is 8.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 3 hospitals in the county.
Explore Florida 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 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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