Summit County
OH · Pop. 538,087 · Urban County
Summit County, Ohio covers 413 square miles with a population of 538,087 and a density of 1302.9 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, soybeans, corn. A median home price of $196,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.54% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 176-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.6°F and average winter lows of 21.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 37.1 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Western Reserve Hospital, Llc is 1.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.5% 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 $196,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 98.5% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Western Reserve Hospital, Llc, with an emergency room, is just 1.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
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 1.54% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
- At 1302.9 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Summit County, OH is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 49/100
- Median home price
- $196k
- Property tax
- 1.54%
- Growing season
- 176 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 37.1"
- Broadband
- 98.5%
- Nearest hospital
- Western Reserve Hospital, Llc, 1.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Summit County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Summit County?
- Summit County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 176-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.6°F, and average winter lows of 21.8°F. The established crops are hay, soybeans, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $196,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.54%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.5% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Western Reserve Hospital, Llc is 1.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 12 hospitals in the county.
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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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