Hamilton County
FL · Pop. 13,445 · Suburban County
Hamilton County sits in Florida across 514 square miles, home to 13,445 people at 26.2 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, sweet corn, peas. A median home price of $110,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.73% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 259-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.8°F and average winter lows of 39.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 51.5 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Lake City Medical Center Suwannee Campus is 14.6 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 90.3% 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 0.73% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $110,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 90.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Annual rainfall of 51.5 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, Lake City Medical Center Suwannee Campus, is 14.6 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- A poverty rate of 27.3% 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
Hamilton County, FL is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 89/100
- Median home price
- $110k
- Property tax
- 0.73%
- Growing season
- 259 days (zone 9a)
- Annual rainfall
- 51.5"
- Broadband
- 90.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Lake City Medical Center Suwannee Campus, 14.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Hamilton County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Hamilton County?
- Hamilton County is in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 259-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.8°F, and average winter lows of 39.5°F. The established crops are hay, sweet corn, peas.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $110,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.73%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 90.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Lake City Medical Center Suwannee Campus is 14.6 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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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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