Scotland County
NC · Pop. 34,353 · Mixed County
Scotland County is a mixed rural-suburban county in North Carolina, spanning 319 square miles with 34,353 residents at a density of 107.7 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on soybeans, cotton, wheat. The median home price is $110,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.91%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 224-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.9°F and average winter lows of 33.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 46.1 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Scotland Memorial Hospital is 6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 92.1% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 224-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.91% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $110,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 92.1% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Scotland Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- A poverty rate of 26.6% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Scotland County, NC is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 67/100
- Median home price
- $110k
- Property tax
- 0.91%
- Growing season
- 224 days (zone 8a)
- Annual rainfall
- 46.1"
- Broadband
- 92.1%
- Nearest hospital
- Scotland Memorial Hospital, 6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Scotland County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Scotland County?
- Scotland County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 224-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.9°F, and average winter lows of 33.6°F. The established crops are soybeans, cotton, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $110,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.91%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 92.1% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Scotland Memorial Hospital is 6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore North Carolina Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in North Carolina
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The closest counties to Scotland 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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