Mercer County
PA · Pop. 109,852 · Mixed County
Mercer County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Pennsylvania, spanning 673 square miles with 109,852 residents at a density of 163.2 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, corn, soybeans. The median home price is $154,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.26%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 148-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.5°F and average winter lows of 19.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 42.7 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Edgewood Surgical Hospital is 8.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 87.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $154,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Edgewood Surgical Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 8.8 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- Annual rainfall of 42.7 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 148-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
At a glance
Mercer County, PA is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 50/100
- Median home price
- $154k
- Property tax
- 1.26%
- Growing season
- 148 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 42.7"
- Broadband
- 87.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Edgewood Surgical Hospital, 8.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Mercer County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Mercer County?
- Mercer County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 148-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.5°F, and average winter lows of 19.2°F. The established crops are hay, corn, soybeans.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $154,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.26%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 87.7% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Edgewood Surgical Hospital is 8.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 5 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 Mercer 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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