Jones County
NC · Pop. 9,245 · Rural County
Jones County sits in North Carolina across 471 square miles, home to 9,245 people at 19.6 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on cotton, soybeans, corn. A median home price of $123,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.76% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 212-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.2°F and average winter lows of 31.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 52.7 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Carolinaeast Medical Center is 17.3 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 90.7% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 212-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.76% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $123,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 90.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- At 19.6 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- The nearest hospital, Carolinaeast Medical Center, is 17.3 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- A poverty rate of 21.3% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
- Wildfire risk is high, so defensible space and fire preparedness should be part of any build plan.
At a glance
Jones County, NC is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 79/100
- Median home price
- $123k
- Property tax
- 0.76%
- Growing season
- 212 days (zone 8a)
- Annual rainfall
- 52.7"
- Broadband
- 90.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Carolinaeast Medical Center, 17.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Jones County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Jones County?
- Jones County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 212-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.2°F, and average winter lows of 31.1°F. The established crops are cotton, soybeans, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $123,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.76%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 90.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Carolinaeast Medical Center is 17.3 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
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 Jones 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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