Fairfield County
OH · Pop. 161,289 · Mixed County
Fairfield County, Ohio covers 504 square miles with a population of 161,289 and a density of 320 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, corn, wheat. A median home price of $272,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.15% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 170-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.3°F and average winter lows of 23.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 39.6 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Fairfield Medical Center is 3.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 94.1% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 94.1% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Fairfield Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 3.3 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 8.2% 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 very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- At 320 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Fairfield County, OH is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 38/100
- Median home price
- $272k
- Property tax
- 1.15%
- Growing season
- 170 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 39.6"
- Broadband
- 94.1%
- Nearest hospital
- Fairfield Medical Center, 3.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Fairfield County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Fairfield County?
- Fairfield County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 170-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.3°F, and average winter lows of 23.4°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $272,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.15%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 94.1% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Fairfield Medical Center is 3.3 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 3 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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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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