Monroe County
FL · Pop. 81,840 · Suburban County
Monroe County, Florida covers 983 square miles with a population of 81,840 and a density of 83.3 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on corn, soybeans. The median home price is $724,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.54%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 10b with a 365-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.6°F and average winter lows of 59.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 53.7 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. West Kendall Baptist Hospital is 35.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.5% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 365-day growing season in USDA zone 10b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.54% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 99.5% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.8% reflects a stable local job base.
- Annual rainfall of 53.7 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.
- A median home price of $724,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- The nearest hospital, West Kendall Baptist Hospital, is 35.9 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Monroe County, FL is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 64/100
- Median home price
- $724k
- Property tax
- 0.54%
- Growing season
- 365 days (zone 10b)
- Annual rainfall
- 53.7"
- Broadband
- 99.5%
- Nearest hospital
- West Kendall Baptist Hospital, 35.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Monroe County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Monroe County?
- Monroe County is in USDA hardiness zone 10b with a 365-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.6°F, and average winter lows of 59.5°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $724,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.54%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.5% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- West Kendall Baptist Hospital is 35.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 4 hospitals in the county.
Explore Florida Resources
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LandWatch
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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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