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Dougherty County

GA · Pop. 83,915 · Mixed County

56/100Homestead Score

Dougherty County, Georgia covers 329 square miles with a population of 83,915 and a density of 255.1 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on cotton, hay. A median home price of $129,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.39% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 258-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.9°F and average winter lows of 39.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 48.6 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital is 5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.1% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.39%
Growing Season: 258 days
Broadband: 98.1%
Density: 255.1/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 258-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A median home price of $129,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 98.1% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.

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.
  • Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
  • An effective property tax rate of 1.39% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.

At a glance

Dougherty County, GA is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.

Homestead score
56/100
Median home price
$129k
Property tax
1.39%
Growing season
258 days (zone 8b)
Annual rainfall
48.6"
Broadband
98.1%
Nearest hospital
Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, 5 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.39%
Median Household Income$46,784
Poverty Rate26.4%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$129K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone8b
Growing Season258 days
Annual Rainfall48.6 inches
Avg Summer High91.9°F
Avg Winter Low39.3°F
Top CropsCotton, Hay

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought8/10
Wildfire8/10
Tornado8/10
Flood9/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalPhoebe Putney Memorial Hospital (5 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities2

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage98.1%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate4.9%
Ag EconomyWeak

Homesteading in Dougherty County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Dougherty County?
Dougherty County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 258-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.9°F, and average winter lows of 39.3°F. The established crops are cotton, hay.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $129,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.39%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 98.1% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital is 5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals 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.