Ross County
OH · Pop. 76,748 · Mixed County
Ross County, Ohio covers 689 square miles with a population of 76,748 and a density of 111.4 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, corn, hay. A median home price of $159,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.99% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 178-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.2°F and average winter lows of 22.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 40.7 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Adena Regional Medical Center is 7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 86.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $159,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Adena Regional Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on soybeans, corn, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
Cons
- 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.
- Wildfire risk is high, so defensible space and fire preparedness should be part of any build plan.
At a glance
Ross County, OH is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 53/100
- Median home price
- $159k
- Property tax
- 0.99%
- Growing season
- 178 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 40.7"
- Broadband
- 86.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Adena Regional Medical Center, 7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Ross County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Ross County?
- Ross County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 178-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.2°F, and average winter lows of 22.9°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $159,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.99%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 86.7% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Adena Regional Medical Center is 7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 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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