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Atlantic County

NJ · Pop. 274,704 · Mixed County

11/100Homestead Score

Atlantic County sits in New Jersey across 556 square miles, home to 274,704 people at 494.1 per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on lettuce, hay, corn. A median home price of $273,000 and an effective property tax rate of 2.47% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 189-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.3°F and average winter lows of 26.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 41.8 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Atlanticare Regional Medical Center - Mainland Campus is 5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.4% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 2.47%
Growing Season: 189 days
Broadband: 99.4%
Density: 494.1/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 189-day growing season in USDA zone 7a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • Broadband reaches 99.4% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Atlanticare Regional Medical Center - Mainland Campus, with an emergency room, is just 5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.

Cons

  • Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
  • 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.
  • An effective property tax rate of 2.47% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
  • The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.

At a glance

Atlantic County, NJ is a challenging place to homestead on the data.

Homestead score
11/100
Median home price
$273k
Property tax
2.47%
Growing season
189 days (zone 7a)
Annual rainfall
41.8"
Broadband
99.4%
Nearest hospital
Atlanticare Regional Medical Center - Mainland Campus, 5 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate2.47%
Median Household Income$76,819
Poverty Rate13.1%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$273K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone7a
Growing Season189 days
Annual Rainfall41.8 inches
Avg Summer High83.3°F
Avg Winter Low26.4°F
Top CropsLettuce, Hay, Corn

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought9/10
Wildfire10/10
Tornado6/10
Flood10/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalAtlanticare Regional Medical Center - Mainland Campus (5 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities8

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage99.4%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate6.7%
Ag EconomyWeak

Homesteading in Atlantic County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Atlantic County?
Atlantic County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 189-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.3°F, and average winter lows of 26.4°F. The established crops are lettuce, hay, corn.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $273,000 and the effective property tax rate is 2.47%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 99.4% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Atlanticare Regional Medical Center - Mainland Campus is 5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 8 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.