Dixie County
FL · Pop. 16,952 · Rural County
Dixie County sits in Florida across 705 square miles, home to 16,952 people at 24 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on haylage, hay, peas. The median home price is $97,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.74%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 259-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.7°F and average winter lows of 40.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 58 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Doctors' Memorial Hospital is 44.7 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.5% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 259-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.
- A median home price of $97,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 98.5% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- At 24 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.
- The nearest hospital, Doctors' Memorial Hospital, is 44.7 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- A poverty rate of 19.3% 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
Dixie County, FL is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 86/100
- Median home price
- $97k
- Property tax
- 0.74%
- Growing season
- 259 days (zone 9a)
- Annual rainfall
- 58"
- Broadband
- 98.5%
- Nearest hospital
- Doctors' Memorial Hospital, 44.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Dixie County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Dixie County?
- Dixie County is in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 259-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.7°F, and average winter lows of 40.9°F. The established crops are haylage, hay, peas.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $97,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.74%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.5% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Doctors' Memorial Hospital is 44.7 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Florida Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Florida
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The closest counties to Dixie 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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