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Allegheny County

PA · Pop. 1,240,476 · Urban County

49/100Homestead Score

Allegheny County, Pennsylvania covers 730 square miles with a population of 1,240,476 and a density of 1699.3 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, sweet corn. The median home price is $217,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.57%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 190-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.5°F and average winter lows of 22.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 34.8 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Allegheny General Hospital is 1.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.8% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.57%
Growing Season: 190 days
Broadband: 99.8%
Density: 1699.3/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 190-day growing season in USDA zone 6b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • Broadband reaches 99.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Allegheny General Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 1.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A low unemployment rate of 4% reflects a stable local job base.
  • A low poverty rate of 11.2% signals a relatively stable local economy.

Cons

  • Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
  • 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 1.57% 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 a glance

Allegheny County, PA is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.

Homestead score
49/100
Median home price
$217k
Property tax
1.57%
Growing season
190 days (zone 6b)
Annual rainfall
34.8"
Broadband
99.8%
Nearest hospital
Allegheny General Hospital, 1.5 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.57%
Median Household Income$76,393
Poverty Rate11.2%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$217K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone6b
Growing Season190 days
Annual Rainfall34.8 inches
Avg Summer High81.5°F
Avg Winter Low22.6°F
Top CropsHay, Haylage, Sweet corn

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought1/10
Wildfire7/10
Tornado10/10
Flood10/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalAllegheny General Hospital (1.5 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities31

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage99.8%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate4%
Ag EconomyWeak

Homesteading in Allegheny County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Allegheny County?
Allegheny County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 190-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.5°F, and average winter lows of 22.6°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, sweet corn.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $217,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.57%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 99.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Allegheny General Hospital is 1.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 31 hospitals in the county.

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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.