Stark County
OH · Pop. 373,764 · Urban County
Stark County is an urban county in Ohio, spanning 575 square miles with 373,764 residents at a density of 650 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, corn, soybeans. The median home price is $178,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.32%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 175-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.1°F and average winter lows of 21.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 40.1 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Cleveland Clinic Mercy Medical Center is 1.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.2% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $178,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 97.2% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Cleveland Clinic Mercy Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 1.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- Annual rainfall of 40.1 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
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.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.32% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- At 650 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Stark County, OH is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 49/100
- Median home price
- $178k
- Property tax
- 1.32%
- Growing season
- 175 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 40.1"
- Broadband
- 97.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Cleveland Clinic Mercy Medical Center, 1.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Stark County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Stark County?
- Stark County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 175-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.1°F, and average winter lows of 21.4°F. The established crops are hay, corn, soybeans.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $178,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.32%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97.2% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Cleveland Clinic Mercy Medical Center is 1.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 8 hospitals in the county.
Explore Ohio Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
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More counties in Ohio
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The closest counties to Stark 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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