Jefferson County
GA · Pop. 15,468 · Suburban County
Jefferson County sits in Georgia across 527 square miles, home to 15,468 people at 29.4 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on cotton, corn, wheat. The median home price is $93,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.99%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 226-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.9°F and average winter lows of 35.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 45.1 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Jefferson Hospital is 3.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 82.1% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 226-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $93,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Jefferson Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 3.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A poverty rate of 18.8% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
- Wildfire risk is high, so defensible space and fire preparedness should be part of any build plan.
At a glance
Jefferson County, GA is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 83/100
- Median home price
- $93k
- Property tax
- 0.99%
- Growing season
- 226 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 45.1"
- Broadband
- 82.1%
- Nearest hospital
- Jefferson Hospital, 3.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Jefferson County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Jefferson County?
- Jefferson County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 226-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.9°F, and average winter lows of 35.3°F. The established crops are cotton, corn, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $93,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.99%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 82.1% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Jefferson Hospital is 3.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
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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The closest counties to Jefferson County by distance, including across state lines.
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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