Jefferson County
PA · Pop. 44,099 · Suburban County
Jefferson County sits in Pennsylvania across 652 square miles, home to 44,099 people at 67.6 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, corn, haylage. A median home price of $127,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.11% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 154-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.1°F and average winter lows of 18.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 43.2 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Penn Highlands Brookville is 4.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 81.4% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $127,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Penn Highlands Brookville, with an emergency room, is just 4.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- Annual rainfall of 43.2 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
Cons
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A 154-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
At a glance
Jefferson County, PA is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 74/100
- Median home price
- $127k
- Property tax
- 1.11%
- Growing season
- 154 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 43.2"
- Broadband
- 81.4%
- Nearest hospital
- Penn Highlands Brookville, 4.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Jefferson County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Jefferson County?
- Jefferson County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 154-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.1°F, and average winter lows of 18.7°F. The established crops are hay, corn, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $127,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.11%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 81.4% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Penn Highlands Brookville is 4.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore Pennsylvania Resources
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More counties in Pennsylvania
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The closest counties to Jefferson 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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