Effingham County
GA · Pop. 67,265 · Mixed County
Effingham County sits in Georgia across 479 square miles, home to 67,265 people at 140.4 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on cotton, haylage, peanuts. A median home price of $245,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.96% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 266-day growing season, average summer highs of 91°F and average winter lows of 40.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 49.6 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Effingham Health System is 1.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 93.2% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 266-day growing season in USDA zone 9a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- Broadband reaches 93.2% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Effingham Health System, with an emergency room, is just 1.3 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.6% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 7.4% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
- Flood risk is high, so low-lying parcels deserve careful evaluation before purchase.
At a glance
Effingham County, GA is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 69/100
- Median home price
- $245k
- Property tax
- 0.96%
- Growing season
- 266 days (zone 9a)
- Annual rainfall
- 49.6"
- Broadband
- 93.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Effingham Health System, 1.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Effingham County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Effingham County?
- Effingham County is in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 266-day growing season, average summer highs of 91°F, and average winter lows of 40.4°F. The established crops are cotton, haylage, peanuts.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $245,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.96%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 93.2% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Effingham Health System is 1.3 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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