Carbon County
PA · Pop. 65,191 · Mixed County
Carbon County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Pennsylvania, spanning 381 square miles with 65,191 residents at a density of 171.1 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, corn, soybeans. The median home price is $194,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.5%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 136-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.2°F and average winter lows of 16.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 49.3 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. St. Luke's Hospital - Carbon Campus is 5.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.8% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $194,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 98.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- St. Luke's Hospital - Carbon Campus, with an emergency room, is just 5.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- Annual rainfall of 49.3 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
- A low poverty rate of 12% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A 136-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.5% 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
Carbon County, PA is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 54/100
- Median home price
- $194k
- Property tax
- 1.5%
- Growing season
- 136 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 49.3"
- Broadband
- 98.8%
- Nearest hospital
- St. Luke's Hospital - Carbon Campus, 5.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Carbon County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Carbon County?
- Carbon County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 136-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.2°F, and average winter lows of 16.5°F. The established crops are hay, corn, soybeans.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $194,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.5%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- St. Luke's Hospital - Carbon Campus is 5.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore Pennsylvania Resources
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LandWatch
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Pennsylvania
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The closest counties to Carbon 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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