Forest County
PA · Pop. 6,785 · Rural County
Forest County sits in Pennsylvania across 427 square miles, home to 6,785 people at 15.9 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, corn. A median home price of $112,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.04% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 152-day growing season, average summer highs of 79°F and average winter lows of 17.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 44.9 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Warren General Hospital is 23.3 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 40.9% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $112,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- At 15.9 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- Annual rainfall of 44.9 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
Cons
- A 152-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Broadband reaches only 40.9% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- The nearest hospital, Warren General Hospital, is 23.3 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Forest County, PA is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 58/100
- Median home price
- $112k
- Property tax
- 1.04%
- Growing season
- 152 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 44.9"
- Broadband
- 40.9%
- Nearest hospital
- Warren General Hospital, 23.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Forest County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Forest County?
- Forest County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 152-day growing season, average summer highs of 79°F, and average winter lows of 17.3°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $112,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.04%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 40.9% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Warren General Hospital is 23.3 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
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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.
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