Cleveland County
NC · Pop. 100,170 · Mixed County
Cleveland County is a mixed rural-suburban county in North Carolina, spanning 464 square miles with 100,170 residents at a density of 215.9 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, soybeans, wheat. The median home price is $180,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.69%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 192-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.1°F and average winter lows of 28.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 47.9 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Atrium Health Cleveland is 2.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 93.8% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 192-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.69% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $180,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 93.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Atrium Health Cleveland, with an emergency room, is just 2.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
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.
- At 215.9 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Cleveland County, NC is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 60/100
- Median home price
- $180k
- Property tax
- 0.69%
- Growing season
- 192 days (zone 8a)
- Annual rainfall
- 47.9"
- Broadband
- 93.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Atrium Health Cleveland, 2.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Cleveland County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Cleveland County?
- Cleveland County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 192-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.1°F, and average winter lows of 28.5°F. The established crops are hay, soybeans, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $180,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.69%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 93.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Atrium Health Cleveland is 2.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore North Carolina Resources
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LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in North Carolina
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The closest counties to Cleveland County by distance, including across state lines.
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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