Sumter County
GA · Pop. 29,174 · Suburban County
Sumter County is a suburban county in Georgia, spanning 483 square miles with 29,174 residents at a density of 60.4 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on cotton, corn, peanuts. A median home price of $122,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.32% 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 49 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Phoebe Sumter Medical Center is 3.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.2% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
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 $122,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 99.2% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Phoebe Sumter Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 3.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
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.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.32% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- A poverty rate of 22.7% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
Sumter County, GA is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 73/100
- Median home price
- $122k
- Property tax
- 1.32%
- Growing season
- 239 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 49"
- Broadband
- 99.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Phoebe Sumter Medical Center, 3.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Sumter County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Sumter County?
- Sumter 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 $122,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.32%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.2% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Phoebe Sumter Medical Center is 3.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
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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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