Chemung County
NY · Pop. 82,805 · Mixed County
Chemung County, New York covers 407 square miles with a population of 82,805 and a density of 203.5 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, corn, haylage. A median home price of $132,000 and an effective property tax rate of 2.52% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 147-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.4°F and average winter lows of 17.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 36.3 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Arnot Ogden Medical Center is 5.1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 96.4% 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
- A median home price of $132,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 96.4% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Arnot Ogden Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 5.1 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.9% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A 147-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 2.52% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- At 203.5 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Chemung County, NY is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 38/100
- Median home price
- $132k
- Property tax
- 2.52%
- Growing season
- 147 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 36.3"
- Broadband
- 96.4%
- Nearest hospital
- Arnot Ogden Medical Center, 5.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Chemung County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Chemung County?
- Chemung County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 147-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.4°F, and average winter lows of 17.5°F. The established crops are hay, corn, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $132,000 and the effective property tax rate is 2.52%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 96.4% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Arnot Ogden Medical Center is 5.1 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 3 hospitals in the county.
Explore New York Resources
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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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