Sumter County
FL · Pop. 137,536 · Mixed County
Sumter County sits in Florida across 557 square miles, home to 137,536 people at 246.9 per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, melons. A median home price of $356,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.83% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9b with a 291-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.4°F and average winter lows of 45.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 51.8 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. UF Health Leesburg Hospital is 13.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 96% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 291-day growing season in USDA zone 9b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.83% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 96% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Annual rainfall of 51.8 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
- A low poverty rate of 9.1% 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.
- A median home price of $356,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Sumter County, FL is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 49/100
- Median home price
- $356k
- Property tax
- 0.83%
- Growing season
- 291 days (zone 9b)
- Annual rainfall
- 51.8"
- Broadband
- 96%
- Nearest hospital
- UF Health Leesburg Hospital, 13.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Sumter County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Sumter County?
- Sumter County is in USDA hardiness zone 9b with a 291-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.4°F, and average winter lows of 45.8°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, melons.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $356,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.83%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 96% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- UF Health Leesburg Hospital is 13.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 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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