Ben Hill County
GA · Pop. 17,138 · Suburban County
Ben Hill County, Georgia covers 250 square miles with a population of 17,138 and a density of 68.6 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on cotton, peanuts, corn. The median home price is $115,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.06%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 255-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.8°F and average winter lows of 38.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 46.5 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Dorminy Medical Center is 7.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.1% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 255-day growing season in USDA zone 9a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $115,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 99.1% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Dorminy Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 7.3 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 4% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A poverty rate of 25.7% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Ben Hill County, GA is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 88/100
- Median home price
- $115k
- Property tax
- 1.06%
- Growing season
- 255 days (zone 9a)
- Annual rainfall
- 46.5"
- Broadband
- 99.1%
- Nearest hospital
- Dorminy Medical Center, 7.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Ben Hill County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Ben Hill County?
- Ben Hill County is in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 255-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.8°F, and average winter lows of 38.9°F. The established crops are cotton, peanuts, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $115,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.06%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.1% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Dorminy Medical Center is 7.3 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
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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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