Wilkes County
GA · Pop. 9,553 · Rural County
Wilkes County, Georgia covers 470 square miles with a population of 9,553 and a density of 20.3 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, corn. The median home price is $105,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.14%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 233-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.6°F and average winter lows of 33.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 44.1 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Wills Memorial Hospital is 3.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.8% of homes. On the hazard side, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 233-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $105,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 99.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Wills Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 3.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- At 20.3 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Wilkes County, GA is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 100/100
- Median home price
- $105k
- Property tax
- 1.14%
- Growing season
- 233 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 44.1"
- Broadband
- 99.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Wills Memorial Hospital, 3.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Wilkes County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Wilkes County?
- Wilkes County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 233-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.6°F, and average winter lows of 33.6°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $105,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.14%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Wills Memorial Hospital is 3.5 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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AcreTrader
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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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