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Montgomery County

MD · Pop. 1,057,586 · Urban County

36/100Homestead Score

Montgomery County is an urban county in Maryland, spanning 493 square miles with 1,057,586 residents at a density of 2145.2 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on soybeans, corn, hay. The median home price is $615,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.87%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 215-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.2°F and average winter lows of 28.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 40.3 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Adventist Healthcare Shady Grove Medical Center is 2.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.87%
Growing Season: 215 days
Broadband: 99.9%
Density: 2145.2/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 215-day growing season in USDA zone 7b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.87% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Adventist Healthcare Shady Grove Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 2.7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A low unemployment rate of 3.7% reflects a stable local job base.

Cons

  • Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
  • Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
  • Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
  • A median home price of $615,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
  • At 2145.2 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.

At a glance

Montgomery County, MD is a challenging place to homestead on the data.

Homestead score
36/100
Median home price
$615k
Property tax
0.87%
Growing season
215 days (zone 7b)
Annual rainfall
40.3"
Broadband
99.9%
Nearest hospital
Adventist Healthcare Shady Grove Medical Center, 2.7 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.87%
Median Household Income$128,733
Poverty Rate7.1%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$615K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone7b
Growing Season215 days
Annual Rainfall40.3 inches
Avg Summer High83.2°F
Avg Winter Low28.9°F
Top CropsSoybeans, Corn, Hay

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought9/10
Wildfire3/10
Tornado8/10
Flood10/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalAdventist Healthcare Shady Grove Medical Center (2.7 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities10

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage99.9%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.7%
Ag EconomyModerate

Homesteading in Montgomery County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Montgomery County?
Montgomery County is in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 215-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.2°F, and average winter lows of 28.9°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, hay.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $615,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.87%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Adventist Healthcare Shady Grove Medical Center is 2.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 10 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.