Josephine County
OR · Pop. 88,069 · Suburban County
Josephine County sits in Oregon across 1,639 square miles, home to 88,069 people at 53.7 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, herbs. A median home price of $383,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.53% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 191-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.7°F and average winter lows of 35.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 31 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Asante Three Rivers Medical Center is 11.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 92.6% 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 191-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.53% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 92.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Asante Three Rivers Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 11.9 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.
- A median home price of $383,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Josephine County, OR is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 53/100
- Median home price
- $383k
- Property tax
- 0.53%
- Growing season
- 191 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 31"
- Broadband
- 92.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Asante Three Rivers Medical Center, 11.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Josephine County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Josephine County?
- Josephine County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 191-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.7°F, and average winter lows of 35.4°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, herbs.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $383,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.53%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 92.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Asante Three Rivers Medical Center is 11.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital 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 Josephine 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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