Holmes County
FL · Pop. 19,626 · Suburban County
Holmes County sits in Florida across 479 square miles, home to 19,626 people at 41 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, cotton, peanuts. A median home price of $101,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.52% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 240-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.9°F and average winter lows of 38.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 63 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Doctors Memorial Hospital is 10.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 38.4% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 240-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.52% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $101,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Doctors Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 10.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- Broadband reaches only 38.4% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Holmes County, FL is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 77/100
- Median home price
- $101k
- Property tax
- 0.52%
- Growing season
- 240 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 63"
- Broadband
- 38.4%
- Nearest hospital
- Doctors Memorial Hospital, 10.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Holmes County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Holmes County?
- Holmes County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 240-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.9°F, and average winter lows of 38.1°F. The established crops are hay, cotton, peanuts.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $101,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.52%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 38.4% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Doctors Memorial Hospital is 10.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
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LandWatch
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AcreTrader
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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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