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Orleans County

NY · Pop. 39,686 · Mixed County

66/100Homestead Score

Orleans County is a mixed rural-suburban county in New York, spanning 391 square miles with 39,686 residents at a density of 101.5 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on corn, soybeans, hay. A median home price of $126,000 and an effective property tax rate of 3% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 171-day growing season, average summer highs of 80°F and average winter lows of 20.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 35.7 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Medina Memorial Hospital is 12.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.4% of homes.

Property Tax: 3%
Growing Season: 171 days
Broadband: 97.4%
Density: 101.5/sq mi

Pros

  • A median home price of $126,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 97.4% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • A median household income of $63,838 anchors the local economy.

Cons

  • An effective property tax rate of 3% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.

At a glance

Orleans County, NY is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.

Homestead score
66/100
Median home price
$126k
Property tax
3%
Growing season
171 days (zone 6b)
Annual rainfall
35.7"
Broadband
97.4%
Nearest hospital
Medina Memorial Hospital, 12.5 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate3%
Median Household Income$63,838
Poverty Rate13%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$126K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone6b
Growing Season171 days
Annual Rainfall35.7 inches
Avg Summer High80°F
Avg Winter Low20.5°F
Top CropsCorn, Soybeans, Hay

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought2/10
Wildfire2/10
Tornado3/10
Flood4/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalMedina Memorial Hospital (12.5 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage97.4%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate4.1%
Ag EconomyModerate

Homesteading in Orleans County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Orleans County?
Orleans County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 171-day growing season, average summer highs of 80°F, and average winter lows of 20.5°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $126,000 and the effective property tax rate is 3%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 97.4% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Medina Memorial Hospital is 12.5 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.