Norfolk County
MA · Pop. 724,540 · Urban County
Norfolk County is an urban county in Massachusetts, spanning 396 square miles with 724,540 residents at a density of 1829.6 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, sweet corn, pumpkins. The median home price is $649,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.09%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 162-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.6°F and average winter lows of 18.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 47.1 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Norwood Hospital is 1.6 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, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Norwood Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 1.6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low poverty rate of 6.6% signals a relatively stable local economy.
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.
- A 162-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- A median home price of $649,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Norfolk County, MA is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 33/100
- Median home price
- $649k
- Property tax
- 1.09%
- Growing season
- 162 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 47.1"
- Broadband
- 99.9%
- Nearest hospital
- Norwood Hospital, 1.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Norfolk County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Norfolk County?
- Norfolk County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 162-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.6°F, and average winter lows of 18.6°F. The established crops are hay, sweet corn, pumpkins.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $649,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.09%. 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?
- Norwood Hospital is 1.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 13 hospitals in the county.
Explore Massachusetts Resources
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LandWatch
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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 Massachusetts
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The closest counties to Norfolk 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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