Mercer County
KY · Pop. 22,824 · Suburban County
Mercer County sits in Kentucky across 249 square miles, home to 22,824 people at 91.7 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, soybeans, corn. A median home price of $190,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.82% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 190-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.5°F and average winter lows of 25.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 43.1 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. The James B Haggin Memorial Hospital is 4.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 73.1% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 190-day growing season in USDA zone 7a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.82% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $190,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- The James B Haggin Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 4.2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- Annual rainfall of 43.1 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Broadband reaches only 73.1% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- Flood risk is high, so low-lying parcels deserve careful evaluation before purchase.
At a glance
Mercer County, KY is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 69/100
- Median home price
- $190k
- Property tax
- 0.82%
- Growing season
- 190 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 43.1"
- Broadband
- 73.1%
- Nearest hospital
- The James B Haggin Memorial Hospital, 4.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Mercer County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Mercer County?
- Mercer County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 190-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.5°F, and average winter lows of 25.8°F. The established crops are hay, soybeans, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $190,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.82%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 73.1% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- The James B Haggin Memorial Hospital is 4.2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
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More counties in Kentucky
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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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