Heard County
GA · Pop. 11,616 · Suburban County
Heard County, Georgia covers 296 square miles with a population of 11,616 and a density of 39.2 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, sweet corn. The median home price is $161,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.64%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 210-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.9°F and average winter lows of 33.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 53 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center is 18.5 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 93.5% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 210-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.64% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $161,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 93.5% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.5% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- The nearest hospital, Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center, is 18.5 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- A poverty rate of 18.7% 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
Heard County, GA is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 73/100
- Median home price
- $161k
- Property tax
- 0.64%
- Growing season
- 210 days (zone 8a)
- Annual rainfall
- 53"
- Broadband
- 93.5%
- Nearest hospital
- Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center, 18.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Heard County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Heard County?
- Heard County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 210-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.9°F, and average winter lows of 33.1°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, sweet corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $161,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.64%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 93.5% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center is 18.5 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
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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