Okeechobee County
FL · Pop. 40,249 · Suburban County
Okeechobee County, Florida covers 769 square miles with a population of 40,249 and a density of 52.3 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, corn. A median home price of $179,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.75% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 10a with a 290-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.5°F and average winter lows of 51.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 47.4 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Raulerson Hospital is 9.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 92.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 290-day growing season in USDA zone 10a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.75% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $179,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 92.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Raulerson Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 9.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A poverty rate of 19% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
Okeechobee County, FL is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 78/100
- Median home price
- $179k
- Property tax
- 0.75%
- Growing season
- 290 days (zone 10a)
- Annual rainfall
- 47.4"
- Broadband
- 92.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Raulerson Hospital, 9.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Okeechobee County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Okeechobee County?
- Okeechobee County is in USDA hardiness zone 10a with a 290-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.5°F, and average winter lows of 51.5°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $179,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.75%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 92.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Raulerson Hospital is 9.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Florida Resources
Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in Florida
All Florida countiesNearby counties
The closest counties to Okeechobee County by distance, including across state lines.
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.
Your brand here — Reach our audience of professional directory owners and boost your sales.