Sullivan County
NY · Pop. 79,147 · Suburban County
Sullivan County, New York covers 968 square miles with a population of 79,147 and a density of 81.8 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, corn. A median home price of $235,000 and an effective property tax rate of 2.16% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 144-day growing season, average summer highs of 76.5°F and average winter lows of 15.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 51.6 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Garnet Health Medical Center - Catskills is 1.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 93.5% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 93.5% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Garnet Health Medical Center - Catskills, with an emergency room, is just 1.9 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.6% reflects a stable local job base.
- Annual rainfall of 51.6 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A 144-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 2.16% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Sullivan County, NY is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 47/100
- Median home price
- $235k
- Property tax
- 2.16%
- Growing season
- 144 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 51.6"
- Broadband
- 93.5%
- Nearest hospital
- Garnet Health Medical Center - Catskills, 1.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Sullivan County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Sullivan County?
- Sullivan County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 144-day growing season, average summer highs of 76.5°F, and average winter lows of 15.3°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $235,000 and the effective property tax rate is 2.16%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 93.5% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Garnet Health Medical Center - Catskills is 1.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 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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