Lawrence County
PA · Pop. 85,423 · Mixed County
Lawrence County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Pennsylvania, spanning 357 square miles with 85,423 residents at a density of 239.3 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, corn, soybeans. The median home price is $137,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.45%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 162-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.4°F and average winter lows of 20.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 39.5 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. UPMC Jameson is 1.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 95.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $137,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 95.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- UPMC Jameson, with an emergency room, is just 1.7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low poverty rate of 11.6% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A 162-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.45% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- At 239.3 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Lawrence County, PA is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 63/100
- Median home price
- $137k
- Property tax
- 1.45%
- Growing season
- 162 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 39.5"
- Broadband
- 95.3%
- Nearest hospital
- UPMC Jameson, 1.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Lawrence County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Lawrence County?
- Lawrence County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 162-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.4°F, and average winter lows of 20.4°F. The established crops are hay, corn, soybeans.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $137,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.45%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 95.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- UPMC Jameson is 1.7 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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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Pennsylvania
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The closest counties to Lawrence 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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