Barrow County
GA · Pop. 86,982 · Urban County
Barrow County sits in Georgia across 161 square miles, home to 86,982 people at 540.3 per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, tomatoes. A median home price of $255,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.83% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 216-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.2°F and average winter lows of 32.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 48.8 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Northeast Georgia Medical Center Barrow is 1.1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 96.6% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 216-day growing season in USDA zone 8b 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 96.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Northeast Georgia Medical Center Barrow, with an emergency room, is just 1.1 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.9% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
- At 540.3 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Barrow County, GA is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 78/100
- Median home price
- $255k
- Property tax
- 0.83%
- Growing season
- 216 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 48.8"
- Broadband
- 96.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Northeast Georgia Medical Center Barrow, 1.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Barrow County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Barrow County?
- Barrow County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 216-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.2°F, and average winter lows of 32.2°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, tomatoes.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $255,000 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 96.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Northeast Georgia Medical Center Barrow is 1.1 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Georgia Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Georgia
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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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