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Martin County

FL · Pop. 160,464 · Mixed County

36/100Homestead Score

Martin County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Florida, spanning 544 square miles with 160,464 residents at a density of 295 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, carrots. The median home price is $387,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.81%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 10a with a 365-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.2°F and average winter lows of 53.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 59.5 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Cleveland Clinic Martin South Hospital is 11.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.81%
Growing Season: 365 days
Broadband: 98.3%
Density: 295/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 365-day growing season in USDA zone 10a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.81% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • Broadband reaches 98.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Cleveland Clinic Martin South Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 11.2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A low poverty rate of 11.4% signals a relatively stable local economy.

Cons

  • Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
  • Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
  • 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.
  • A median home price of $387,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.

At a glance

Martin County, FL is a challenging place to homestead on the data.

Homestead score
36/100
Median home price
$387k
Property tax
0.81%
Growing season
365 days (zone 10a)
Annual rainfall
59.5"
Broadband
98.3%
Nearest hospital
Cleveland Clinic Martin South Hospital, 11.2 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.81%
Median Household Income$80,701
Poverty Rate11.4%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$387K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone10a
Growing Season365 days
Annual Rainfall59.5 inches
Avg Summer High90.2°F
Avg Winter Low53.3°F
Top CropsHay, Haylage, Carrots

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought7/10
Wildfire10/10
Tornado8/10
Flood9/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalCleveland Clinic Martin South Hospital (11.2 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities5

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage98.3%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate4.2%
Ag EconomyWeak

Homesteading in Martin County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Martin County?
Martin County is in USDA hardiness zone 10a with a 365-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.2°F, and average winter lows of 53.3°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, carrots.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $387,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.81%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 98.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Cleveland Clinic Martin South Hospital is 11.2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 5 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.