Erie County
OH · Pop. 74,938 · Mixed County
Erie County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Ohio, spanning 251 square miles with 74,938 residents at a density of 298.6 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on soybeans, corn, wheat. A median home price of $184,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.27% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 207-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.6°F and average winter lows of 23.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 33.2 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Firelands Reg. Med Ctr - Main Campus is 7.1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.8% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 207-day growing season in USDA zone 6b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $184,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 97.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Firelands Reg. Med Ctr - Main Campus, with an emergency room, is just 7.1 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- At 298.6 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Erie County, OH is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 62/100
- Median home price
- $184k
- Property tax
- 1.27%
- Growing season
- 207 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 33.2"
- Broadband
- 97.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Firelands Reg. Med Ctr - Main Campus, 7.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Erie County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Erie County?
- Erie County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 207-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.6°F, and average winter lows of 23.6°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $184,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.27%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Firelands Reg. Med Ctr - Main Campus is 7.1 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore Ohio 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 Ohio
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The closest counties to Erie 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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