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Lebanon County

PA · Pop. 143,592 · Mixed County

43/100Homestead Score

Lebanon County, Pennsylvania covers 362 square miles with a population of 143,592 and a density of 396.7 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on corn, hay, haylage. A median home price of $227,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.4% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 173-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.9°F and average winter lows of 22.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 43.4 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Wellspan Good Samaritan Hospital is 3.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.8% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.4%
Growing Season: 173 days
Broadband: 99.8%
Density: 396.7/sq mi

Pros

  • Broadband reaches 99.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Wellspan Good Samaritan Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 3.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A low unemployment rate of 3.9% reflects a stable local job base.
  • A low poverty rate of 10.6% signals a relatively stable local economy.

Cons

  • Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
  • Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
  • Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
  • An effective property tax rate of 1.4% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
  • At 396.7 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.

At a glance

Lebanon County, PA is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.

Homestead score
43/100
Median home price
$227k
Property tax
1.4%
Growing season
173 days (zone 7a)
Annual rainfall
43.4"
Broadband
99.8%
Nearest hospital
Wellspan Good Samaritan Hospital, 3.5 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.4%
Median Household Income$76,350
Poverty Rate10.6%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$227K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone7a
Growing Season173 days
Annual Rainfall43.4 inches
Avg Summer High81.9°F
Avg Winter Low22.5°F
Top CropsCorn, Hay, Haylage

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought7/10
Wildfire3/10
Tornado8/10
Flood9/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalWellspan Good Samaritan Hospital (3.5 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities3

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage99.8%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.9%
Ag EconomyModerate

Homesteading in Lebanon County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Lebanon County?
Lebanon County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 173-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.9°F, and average winter lows of 22.5°F. The established crops are corn, hay, haylage.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $227,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.4%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 99.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Wellspan Good Samaritan Hospital is 3.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 3 hospitals in the county.

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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.