Ottawa County
OH · Pop. 40,161 · Mixed County
Ottawa County, Ohio covers 255 square miles with a population of 40,161 and a density of 157.5 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on soybeans, corn, hay. The median home price is $201,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.09%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 178-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.5°F and average winter lows of 20.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 37 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. H.B. Magruder Memorial Hosp is 4.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 98.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- H.B. Magruder Memorial Hosp, with an emergency room, is just 4.9 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low poverty rate of 8.4% 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.
At a glance
Ottawa County, OH is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 63/100
- Median home price
- $201k
- Property tax
- 1.09%
- Growing season
- 178 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 37"
- Broadband
- 98.3%
- Nearest hospital
- H.B. Magruder Memorial Hosp, 4.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Ottawa County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Ottawa County?
- Ottawa County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 178-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.5°F, and average winter lows of 20.1°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $201,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.09%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- H.B. Magruder Memorial Hosp is 4.9 miles away and includes an 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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