Perry County
PA · Pop. 45,988 · Suburban County
Perry County, Pennsylvania covers 551 square miles with a population of 45,988 and a density of 83.5 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, corn, haylage. A median home price of $223,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.25% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 189-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.2°F and average winter lows of 23°F. Annual rainfall averages 43.5 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. UPMC Carlisle is 15 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 91.4% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 189-day growing season in USDA zone 7a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- Broadband reaches 91.4% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.8% reflects a stable local job base.
- Annual rainfall of 43.5 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
- A low poverty rate of 8% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- The nearest hospital, UPMC Carlisle, is 15 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Perry County, PA is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 55/100
- Median home price
- $223k
- Property tax
- 1.25%
- Growing season
- 189 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 43.5"
- Broadband
- 91.4%
- Nearest hospital
- UPMC Carlisle, 15 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Perry County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Perry County?
- Perry County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 189-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.2°F, and average winter lows of 23°F. The established crops are hay, corn, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $223,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.25%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 91.4% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- UPMC Carlisle is 15 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Pennsylvania Resources
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LandWatch
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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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