Somerset County
MD · Pop. 24,685 · Suburban County
Somerset County, Maryland covers 320 square miles with a population of 24,685 and a density of 77.1 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on soybeans, corn, wheat. The median home price is $164,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.98%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 170-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.6°F and average winter lows of 26.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 44.8 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Tidalhealth Peninsula Regional, Inc is 24.2 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 93% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $164,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 93% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A median household income of $52,462 anchors the local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- The nearest hospital, Tidalhealth Peninsula Regional, Inc, is 24.2 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- A poverty rate of 20.1% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
Somerset County, MD is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 47/100
- Median home price
- $164k
- Property tax
- 0.98%
- Growing season
- 170 days (zone 8a)
- Annual rainfall
- 44.8"
- Broadband
- 93%
- Nearest hospital
- Tidalhealth Peninsula Regional, Inc, 24.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Somerset County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Somerset County?
- Somerset County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 170-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.6°F, and average winter lows of 26.4°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $164,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.98%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 93% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Tidalhealth Peninsula Regional, Inc is 24.2 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Maryland Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Maryland
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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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