Tift County
GA · Pop. 41,322 · Mixed County
Tift County sits in Georgia across 261 square miles, home to 41,322 people at 158.3 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on cotton, peanuts, corn. A median home price of $143,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.94% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 258-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.4°F and average winter lows of 38.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 47.3 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Tift Regional Medical Center is 2.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 94.6% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 258-day growing season in USDA zone 9a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.94% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $143,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 94.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Tift Regional Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 2.3 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- 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.
- A poverty rate of 20.9% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
Tift County, GA is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 71/100
- Median home price
- $143k
- Property tax
- 0.94%
- Growing season
- 258 days (zone 9a)
- Annual rainfall
- 47.3"
- Broadband
- 94.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Tift Regional Medical Center, 2.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Tift County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Tift County?
- Tift County is in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 258-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.4°F, and average winter lows of 38.6°F. The established crops are cotton, peanuts, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $143,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.94%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 94.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Tift Regional Medical Center is 2.3 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Georgia Resources
Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in Georgia
All Georgia countiesNearby counties
The closest counties to Tift 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.
Your brand here — Reach our audience of professional directory owners and boost your sales.