Gilchrist County
FL · Pop. 18,494 · Suburban County
Gilchrist County sits in Florida across 350 square miles, home to 18,494 people at 52.8 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on corn, hay, haylage. The median home price is $191,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.68%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 258-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.7°F and average winter lows of 40.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 54.2 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. North Florida Regional Medical Center is 23.4 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.7% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 258-day growing season in USDA zone 9a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.68% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $191,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 98.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Annual rainfall of 54.2 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.
- The nearest hospital, North Florida Regional Medical Center, is 23.4 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Gilchrist County, FL is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 76/100
- Median home price
- $191k
- Property tax
- 0.68%
- Growing season
- 258 days (zone 9a)
- Annual rainfall
- 54.2"
- Broadband
- 98.7%
- Nearest hospital
- North Florida Regional Medical Center, 23.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Gilchrist County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Gilchrist County?
- Gilchrist County is in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 258-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.7°F, and average winter lows of 40.5°F. The established crops are corn, hay, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $191,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.68%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- North Florida Regional Medical Center is 23.4 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Florida Resources
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LandWatch
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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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