Shelby County
OH · Pop. 48,007 · Mixed County
Shelby County sits in Ohio across 408 square miles, home to 48,007 people at 117.7 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, corn, wheat. A median home price of $190,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.01% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 166-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.8°F and average winter lows of 19.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 39.7 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Wilson Memorial Hospital is 3.9 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 median home price of $190,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 97.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Wilson Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 3.9 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 11.1% 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
Shelby County, OH is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 70/100
- Median home price
- $190k
- Property tax
- 1.01%
- Growing season
- 166 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 39.7"
- Broadband
- 97.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Wilson Memorial Hospital, 3.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Shelby County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Shelby County?
- Shelby County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 166-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.8°F, and average winter lows of 19.5°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $190,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.01%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Wilson Memorial Hospital is 3.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
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LandWatch
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Ohio
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The closest counties to Shelby 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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