Oswego County
NY · Pop. 117,945 · Mixed County
Oswego County, New York covers 952 square miles with a population of 117,945 and a density of 123.9 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on haylage, hay, corn. A median home price of $140,000 and an effective property tax rate of 2.58% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 159-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.5°F and average winter lows of 17.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 39.4 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Oswego Hospital is 15.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 95.8% 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 $140,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 95.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A median household income of $68,461 anchors the local economy.
Cons
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A 159-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 2.58% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
At a glance
Oswego County, NY is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 49/100
- Median home price
- $140k
- Property tax
- 2.58%
- Growing season
- 159 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 39.4"
- Broadband
- 95.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Oswego Hospital, 15.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Oswego County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Oswego County?
- Oswego County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 159-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.5°F, and average winter lows of 17.6°F. The established crops are haylage, hay, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $140,000 and the effective property tax rate is 2.58%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 95.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Oswego Hospital is 15.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 3 hospitals 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.
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