Lewis County
NY · Pop. 26,618 · Rural County
Lewis County is a rural county in New York, spanning 1,276 square miles with 26,618 residents at a density of 20.9 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on haylage, hay, corn. A median home price of $158,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.7% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 137-day growing season, average summer highs of 76°F and average winter lows of 10.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 41.4 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Lewis County General Hospital is 2.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 84.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $158,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Lewis County General Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 2.9 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- At 20.9 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- Annual rainfall of 41.4 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
Cons
- A 137-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.7% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- Average winter lows of 10.8°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Lewis County, NY is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 65/100
- Median home price
- $158k
- Property tax
- 1.7%
- Growing season
- 137 days (zone 4b)
- Annual rainfall
- 41.4"
- Broadband
- 84.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Lewis County General Hospital, 2.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Lewis County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Lewis County?
- Lewis County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 137-day growing season, average summer highs of 76°F, and average winter lows of 10.8°F. The established crops are haylage, hay, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $158,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.7%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 84.3% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Lewis County General Hospital is 2.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital 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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