Chenango County
NY · Pop. 46,685 · Suburban County
Chenango County sits in New York across 893 square miles, home to 46,685 people at 52.3 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, corn. A median home price of $128,000 and an effective property tax rate of 2.39% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 128-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.1°F and average winter lows of 14.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 43.2 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Chenango Memorial Hospital Inc is 5.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 83.9% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $128,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Chenango Memorial Hospital Inc, with an emergency room, is just 5.8 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.6% reflects a stable local job base.
- Annual rainfall of 43.2 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
Cons
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A 128-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 2.39% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- Average winter lows of 14.2°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Chenango County, NY is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 52/100
- Median home price
- $128k
- Property tax
- 2.39%
- Growing season
- 128 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 43.2"
- Broadband
- 83.9%
- Nearest hospital
- Chenango Memorial Hospital Inc, 5.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Chenango County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Chenango County?
- Chenango County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 128-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.1°F, and average winter lows of 14.2°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $128,000 and the effective property tax rate is 2.39%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 83.9% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Chenango Memorial Hospital Inc is 5.8 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.