Blair County
PA · Pop. 121,854 · Mixed County
Blair County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Pennsylvania, spanning 525 square miles with 121,854 residents at a density of 232.1 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on corn, haylage, hay. The median home price is $157,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.09%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 173-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.5°F and average winter lows of 20.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 39.3 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. UPMC Altoona is 4.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.1% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $157,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 97.1% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- UPMC Altoona, with an emergency room, is just 4.9 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- At 232.1 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Blair County, PA is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 64/100
- Median home price
- $157k
- Property tax
- 1.09%
- Growing season
- 173 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 39.3"
- Broadband
- 97.1%
- Nearest hospital
- UPMC Altoona, 4.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Blair County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Blair County?
- Blair County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 173-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.5°F, and average winter lows of 20.2°F. The established crops are corn, haylage, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $157,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.09%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97.1% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- UPMC Altoona is 4.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 5 hospitals in the county.
Explore Pennsylvania Resources
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LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in Pennsylvania
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The closest counties to Blair 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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