Athens County
OH · Pop. 61,573 · Mixed County
Athens County, Ohio covers 504 square miles with a population of 61,573 and a density of 122.2 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, corn. A median home price of $174,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.2% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 169-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.7°F and average winter lows of 22.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 39.4 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. O'Bleness Memorial Hospital is 3.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 82% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $174,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- O'Bleness Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 3.7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A median household income of $53,837 anchors the local economy.
Cons
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A poverty rate of 22.1% 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
Athens County, OH is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 53/100
- Median home price
- $174k
- Property tax
- 1.2%
- Growing season
- 169 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 39.4"
- Broadband
- 82%
- Nearest hospital
- O'Bleness Memorial Hospital, 3.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Athens County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Athens County?
- Athens County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 169-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.7°F, and average winter lows of 22.8°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $174,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.2%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 82% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- O'Bleness Memorial Hospital is 3.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
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More counties in Ohio
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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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