Jackson County
OR · Pop. 222,563 · Suburban County
Jackson County is a suburban county in Oregon, spanning 2,783 square miles with 222,563 residents at a density of 80 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, wheat. A median home price of $400,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.76% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 199-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.7°F and average winter lows of 33.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 18.4 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center is 10.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.2% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 199-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.76% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 97.2% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 10.2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- Annual rainfall of just 18.4 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- A median home price of $400,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
At a glance
Jackson County, OR is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 38/100
- Median home price
- $400k
- Property tax
- 0.76%
- Growing season
- 199 days (zone 8a)
- Annual rainfall
- 18.4"
- Broadband
- 97.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center, 10.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Jackson County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Jackson County?
- Jackson County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 199-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.7°F, and average winter lows of 33.2°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $400,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.76%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97.2% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center is 10.2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 3 hospitals in the county.
Explore Oregon Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Oregon
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The closest counties to Jackson 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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