Cattaraugus County
NY · Pop. 76,479 · Suburban County
Cattaraugus County, New York covers 1,308 square miles with a population of 76,479 and a density of 58.5 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on haylage, hay, corn. The median home price is $109,000, with an effective property tax rate of 2.69%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 130-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.8°F and average winter lows of 14.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 45.5 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Olean General Hospital is 15.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 87.4% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $109,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Annual rainfall of 45.5 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
- A median household income of $58,248 anchors the 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 130-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 2.69% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- Average winter lows of 14.5°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Cattaraugus County, NY is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 45/100
- Median home price
- $109k
- Property tax
- 2.69%
- Growing season
- 130 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 45.5"
- Broadband
- 87.4%
- Nearest hospital
- Olean General Hospital, 15.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Cattaraugus County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Cattaraugus County?
- Cattaraugus County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 130-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.8°F, and average winter lows of 14.5°F. The established crops are haylage, hay, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $109,000 and the effective property tax rate is 2.69%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 87.4% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Olean General Hospital is 15.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital 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.
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