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Houston County

GA · Pop. 166,902 · Mixed County

63/100Homestead Score

Houston County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Georgia, spanning 376 square miles with 166,902 residents at a density of 443.9 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on cotton, hay, soybeans. The median home price is $206,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.86%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 242-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.9°F and average winter lows of 35.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 48.1 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Perry Hospital is 2.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.4% 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: 0.86%
Growing Season: 242 days
Broadband: 97.4%
Density: 443.9/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 242-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.86% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • Broadband reaches 97.4% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Perry Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 2.8 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A low unemployment rate of 3% reflects a stable local job base.

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.
  • The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.

At a glance

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

Homestead score
63/100
Median home price
$206k
Property tax
0.86%
Growing season
242 days (zone 8b)
Annual rainfall
48.1"
Broadband
97.4%
Nearest hospital
Perry Hospital, 2.8 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.86%
Median Household Income$80,743
Poverty Rate10.1%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$206K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone8b
Growing Season242 days
Annual Rainfall48.1 inches
Avg Summer High90.9°F
Avg Winter Low35.7°F
Top CropsCotton, Hay, Soybeans

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought7/10
Wildfire7/10
Tornado8/10
Flood8/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalPerry Hospital (2.8 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities3

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage97.4%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3%
Ag EconomyWeak

Homesteading in Houston County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Houston County?
Houston County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 242-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.9°F, and average winter lows of 35.7°F. The established crops are cotton, hay, soybeans.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $206,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.86%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 97.4% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Perry Hospital is 2.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 3 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.