Jackson County
FL · Pop. 47,652 · Suburban County
Jackson County, Florida covers 918 square miles with a population of 47,652 and a density of 51.9 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on cotton, peanuts, hay. The median home price is $114,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.55%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 269-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.2°F and average winter lows of 41°F. Annual rainfall averages 53.6 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Jackson Hospital is 1.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 62.4% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 269-day growing season in USDA zone 9a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.55% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $114,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Jackson Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 1.9 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on cotton, peanuts, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
Cons
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- Broadband reaches only 62.4% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- A poverty rate of 18.8% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
Jackson County, FL is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 73/100
- Median home price
- $114k
- Property tax
- 0.55%
- Growing season
- 269 days (zone 9a)
- Annual rainfall
- 53.6"
- Broadband
- 62.4%
- Nearest hospital
- Jackson Hospital, 1.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Jackson County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Jackson County?
- Jackson County is in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 269-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.2°F, and average winter lows of 41°F. The established crops are cotton, peanuts, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $114,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.55%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 62.4% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Jackson Hospital is 1.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
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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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