Chautauqua County
NY · Pop. 126,329 · Mixed County
Chautauqua County is a mixed rural-suburban county in New York, spanning 1,060 square miles with 126,329 residents at a density of 119.2 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on haylage, hay, corn. The median home price is $119,000, with an effective property tax rate of 2.39%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 189-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.7°F and average winter lows of 22.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 49.6 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Westfield Memorial Hospital Inc is 8.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 93.1% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 189-day growing season in USDA zone 6a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $119,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 93.1% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Westfield Memorial Hospital Inc, with an emergency room, is just 8.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on haylage, hay, corn means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
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.
- An effective property tax rate of 2.39% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
At a glance
Chautauqua County, NY is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 51/100
- Median home price
- $119k
- Property tax
- 2.39%
- Growing season
- 189 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 49.6"
- Broadband
- 93.1%
- Nearest hospital
- Westfield Memorial Hospital Inc, 8.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Chautauqua County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Chautauqua County?
- Chautauqua County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 189-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.7°F, and average winter lows of 22.4°F. The established crops are haylage, hay, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $119,000 and the effective property tax rate is 2.39%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 93.1% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Westfield Memorial Hospital Inc is 8.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 5 hospitals in the county.
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More counties in New York
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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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