Morris County
NJ · Pop. 510,375 · Urban County
Morris County is an urban county in New Jersey, spanning 461 square miles with 510,375 residents at a density of 1107.1 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, sweet corn. The median home price is $557,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.8%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 178-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.7°F and average winter lows of 21.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 49.9 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Saint Clare's Hospital is 2.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97% 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.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 97% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Saint Clare's Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 2.3 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low poverty rate of 5.1% 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.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.8% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- A median home price of $557,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
At a glance
Morris County, NJ is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 8/100
- Median home price
- $557k
- Property tax
- 1.8%
- Growing season
- 178 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 49.9"
- Broadband
- 97%
- Nearest hospital
- Saint Clare's Hospital, 2.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Morris County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Morris County?
- Morris County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 178-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.7°F, and average winter lows of 21.6°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, sweet corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $557,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.8%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Saint Clare's Hospital is 2.3 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 11 hospitals in the county.
Explore New Jersey 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 New Jersey
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The closest counties to Morris 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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