Schuylkill County
PA · Pop. 143,259 · Mixed County
Schuylkill County sits in Pennsylvania across 779 square miles, home to 143,259 people at 183.9 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on corn, hay, soybeans. A median home price of $140,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.53% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 212-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.3°F and average winter lows of 26.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 50.2 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Schuylkill Medical Center East Norwegian Street is 1.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 94.6% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 212-day growing season in USDA zone 6a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $140,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 94.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Schuylkill Medical Center East Norwegian Street, with an emergency room, is just 1.8 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- Annual rainfall of 50.2 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
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.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.53% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
At a glance
Schuylkill County, PA is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 58/100
- Median home price
- $140k
- Property tax
- 1.53%
- Growing season
- 212 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 50.2"
- Broadband
- 94.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Schuylkill Medical Center East Norwegian Street, 1.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Schuylkill County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Schuylkill County?
- Schuylkill County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 212-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.3°F, and average winter lows of 26.6°F. The established crops are corn, hay, soybeans.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $140,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.53%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 94.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Schuylkill Medical Center East Norwegian Street is 1.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 4 hospitals in the county.
Explore Pennsylvania Resources
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More counties in Pennsylvania
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The closest counties to Schuylkill 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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