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Murray County

GA · Pop. 40,282 · Mixed County

72/100Homestead Score

Murray County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Georgia, spanning 344 square miles with 40,282 residents at a density of 117.1 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, soybeans, corn. A median home price of $173,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.64% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 207-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.1°F and average winter lows of 30.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 53.5 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Adventhealth Murray is 2.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 89.9% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.64%
Growing Season: 207 days
Broadband: 89.9%
Density: 117.1/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 207-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 $173,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Adventhealth Murray, with an emergency room, is just 2.8 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A low unemployment rate of 3.8% reflects a stable local job base.

Cons

  • Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
  • The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
  • Wildfire risk is high, so defensible space and fire preparedness should be part of any build plan.

At a glance

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

Homestead score
72/100
Median home price
$173k
Property tax
0.64%
Growing season
207 days (zone 8a)
Annual rainfall
53.5"
Broadband
89.9%
Nearest hospital
Adventhealth Murray, 2.8 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.64%
Median Household Income$67,880
Poverty Rate13%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$173K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone8a
Growing Season207 days
Annual Rainfall53.5 inches
Avg Summer High88.1°F
Avg Winter Low30.9°F
Top CropsHay, Soybeans, Corn

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought5/10
Wildfire6/10
Tornado8/10
Flood5/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalAdventhealth Murray (2.8 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage89.9%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.8%
Ag EconomyWeak

Homesteading in Murray County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Murray County?
Murray County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 207-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.1°F, and average winter lows of 30.9°F. The established crops are hay, soybeans, corn.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $173,000 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 89.9% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
How close is healthcare?
Adventhealth Murray is 2.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

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Nearby counties

The closest counties to Murray 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.