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Oxford County

ME · Pop. 58,728 · Suburban County

70/100Homestead Score

Oxford County is a suburban county in Maine, spanning 2,077 square miles with 58,728 residents at a density of 28.3 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 $192,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.09%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 147-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.4°F and average winter lows of 8.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 47.2 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Rumford Hospital is 9.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 89% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.09%
Growing Season: 147 days
Broadband: 89%
Density: 28.3/sq mi

Pros

  • A median home price of $192,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Rumford Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 9.6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A low unemployment rate of 3.8% reflects a stable local job base.

Cons

  • Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
  • A 147-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
  • Average winter lows of 8.6°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
  • The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.

At a glance

Oxford County, ME is a strong overall fit for homesteading.

Homestead score
70/100
Median home price
$192k
Property tax
1.09%
Growing season
147 days (zone 5a)
Annual rainfall
47.2"
Broadband
89%
Nearest hospital
Rumford Hospital, 9.6 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.09%
Median Household Income$57,933
Poverty Rate14.2%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$192K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone5a
Growing Season147 days
Annual Rainfall47.2 inches
Avg Summer High77.4°F
Avg Winter Low8.6°F
Top CropsHay, Haylage, Corn

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought5/10
Wildfire3/10
Tornado2/10
Flood8/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalRumford Hospital (9.6 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities2

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage89%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.8%
Ag EconomyWeak

Homesteading in Oxford County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Oxford County?
Oxford County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 147-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.4°F, and average winter lows of 8.6°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $192,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.09%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 89% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
How close is healthcare?
Rumford Hospital is 9.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.

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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.