Suwannee County
FL · Pop. 44,484 · Suburban County
Suwannee County is a suburban county in Florida, spanning 689 square miles with 44,484 residents at a density of 64.6 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, peanuts, corn. The median home price is $161,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.73%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 259-day growing season, average summer highs of 92.9°F and average winter lows of 43.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 51.5 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Lake City Medical Center Suwannee Campus is 7.1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 88.2% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 259-day growing season in USDA zone 9a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.73% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $161,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Lake City Medical Center Suwannee Campus, with an emergency room, is just 7.1 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- Annual rainfall of 51.5 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.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
At a glance
Suwannee County, FL is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 82/100
- Median home price
- $161k
- Property tax
- 0.73%
- Growing season
- 259 days (zone 9a)
- Annual rainfall
- 51.5"
- Broadband
- 88.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Lake City Medical Center Suwannee Campus, 7.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Suwannee County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Suwannee County?
- Suwannee County is in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 259-day growing season, average summer highs of 92.9°F, and average winter lows of 43.2°F. The established crops are hay, peanuts, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $161,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.73%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 88.2% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Lake City Medical Center Suwannee Campus is 7.1 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital 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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