Sussex County
NJ · Pop. 145,117 · Mixed County
Sussex County sits in New Jersey across 518 square miles, home to 145,117 people at 280.1 per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, corn. A median home price of $343,000 and an effective property tax rate of 2.47% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 160-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.8°F and average winter lows of 19.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 45.4 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Newton Medical Center is 6.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.1% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 98.1% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Newton Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 6.8 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low poverty rate of 5.4% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A 160-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 2.47% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- At 280.1 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Sussex County, NJ is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 17/100
- Median home price
- $343k
- Property tax
- 2.47%
- Growing season
- 160 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 45.4"
- Broadband
- 98.1%
- Nearest hospital
- Newton Medical Center, 6.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Sussex County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Sussex County?
- Sussex County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 160-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.8°F, and average winter lows of 19.4°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $343,000 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 98.1% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Newton Medical Center is 6.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore New Jersey Resources
Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
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 New Jersey
All New Jersey countiesNearby counties
The closest counties to Sussex 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.
Your brand here — Reach our audience of professional directory owners and boost your sales.