Brown County
OH · Pop. 43,710 · Suburban County
Brown County, Ohio covers 490 square miles with a population of 43,710 and a density of 89.2 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on soybeans, hay, corn. The median home price is $181,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.83%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 154-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.9°F and average winter lows of 19.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 46 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Adams County Regional Medical Center is 15.2 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 85.2% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.83% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $181,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- A median household income of $69,990 anchors the local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A 154-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- The nearest hospital, Adams County Regional Medical Center, is 15.2 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Brown County, OH is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 40/100
- Median home price
- $181k
- Property tax
- 0.83%
- Growing season
- 154 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 46"
- Broadband
- 85.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Adams County Regional Medical Center, 15.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Brown County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Brown County?
- Brown County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 154-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.9°F, and average winter lows of 19.5°F. The established crops are soybeans, hay, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $181,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.83%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 85.2% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Adams County Regional Medical Center is 15.2 miles away, without an in-county emergency room; there is 1 hospital 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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