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Macon County

GA · Pop. 11,953 · Suburban County

87/100Homestead Score

Macon County sits in Georgia across 401 square miles, home to 11,953 people at 29.8 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on cotton, corn, peanuts. A median home price of $87,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.16% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 239-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.2°F and average winter lows of 35.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 46.1 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Flint River Community Hospital is 4.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 93.6% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.16%
Growing Season: 239 days
Broadband: 93.6%
Density: 29.8/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 239-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A median home price of $87,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 93.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Flint River Community Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 4.8 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 25.5% 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

Macon County, GA is a strong overall fit for homesteading.

Homestead score
87/100
Median home price
$87k
Property tax
1.16%
Growing season
239 days (zone 8b)
Annual rainfall
46.1"
Broadband
93.6%
Nearest hospital
Flint River Community Hospital, 4.8 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.16%
Median Household Income$37,177
Poverty Rate25.5%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$87K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone8b
Growing Season239 days
Annual Rainfall46.1 inches
Avg Summer High90.2°F
Avg Winter Low35.8°F
Top CropsCotton, Corn, Peanuts

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought10/10
Wildfire5/10
Tornado4/10
Flood4/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalFlint River Community Hospital (4.8 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage93.6%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate4.6%
Ag EconomyModerate

Homesteading in Macon County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Macon County?
Macon County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 239-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.2°F, and average winter lows of 35.8°F. The established crops are cotton, corn, peanuts.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $87,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.16%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 93.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Flint River Community Hospital is 4.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

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Nearby counties

The closest counties to Macon 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.