Jefferson County
NY · Pop. 116,130 · Suburban County
Jefferson County, New York covers 1,268 square miles with a population of 116,130 and a density of 91.6 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, haylage, corn. The median home price is $181,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.58%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 135-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.2°F and average winter lows of 12.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 36.1 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Samaritan Medical Center is 7.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 94.4% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $181,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 94.4% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Samaritan Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 7.2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on hay, haylage, corn means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
Cons
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A 135-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.58% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- Average winter lows of 12.5°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Jefferson County, NY is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 56/100
- Median home price
- $181k
- Property tax
- 1.58%
- Growing season
- 135 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 36.1"
- Broadband
- 94.4%
- Nearest hospital
- Samaritan Medical Center, 7.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Jefferson County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Jefferson County?
- Jefferson County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 135-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.2°F, and average winter lows of 12.5°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $181,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.58%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 94.4% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Samaritan Medical Center is 7.2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 4 hospitals in the county.
Explore New York Resources
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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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