Allegany County
MD · Pop. 67,762 · Mixed County
Allegany County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Maryland, spanning 422 square miles with 67,762 residents at a density of 160.6 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, corn. The median home price is $149,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.08%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 191-day growing season, average summer highs of 87°F and average winter lows of 24.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 37.4 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. UPMC Western Maryland is 2.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 91.9% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 191-day growing season in USDA zone 7a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $149,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 91.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- UPMC Western Maryland, with an emergency room, is just 2.9 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Allegany County, MD is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 61/100
- Median home price
- $149k
- Property tax
- 1.08%
- Growing season
- 191 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 37.4"
- Broadband
- 91.9%
- Nearest hospital
- UPMC Western Maryland, 2.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Allegany County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Allegany County?
- Allegany County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 191-day growing season, average summer highs of 87°F, and average winter lows of 24.3°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $149,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.08%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 91.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- UPMC Western Maryland is 2.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore Maryland Resources
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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 Maryland
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The closest counties to Allegany 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.
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