Defiance County
OH · Pop. 38,258 · Suburban County
Defiance County, Ohio covers 411 square miles with a population of 38,258 and a density of 93.1 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, corn, wheat. A median home price of $151,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.12% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 171-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.8°F and average winter lows of 19.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 31.5 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Defiance Regional Medical Center is 5.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 96.1% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $151,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 96.1% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Defiance Regional Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 5.9 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on soybeans, corn, wheat means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low poverty rate of 10% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is high, so low-lying parcels deserve careful evaluation before purchase.
At a glance
Defiance County, OH is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 73/100
- Median home price
- $151k
- Property tax
- 1.12%
- Growing season
- 171 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 31.5"
- Broadband
- 96.1%
- Nearest hospital
- Defiance Regional Medical Center, 5.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Defiance County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Defiance County?
- Defiance County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 171-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.8°F, and average winter lows of 19.9°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $151,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.12%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 96.1% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Defiance Regional Medical Center is 5.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 3 hospitals 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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