Chester County
TN · Pop. 17,452 · Suburban County
Chester County is a suburban county in Tennessee, spanning 286 square miles with 17,452 residents at a density of 61 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on soybeans, cotton, hay. The median home price is $155,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.54%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 203-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.1°F and average winter lows of 26.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 58.5 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Jackson - Madison County General Hospital District is 19.4 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 203-day growing season in USDA zone 7b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.54% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $155,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Annual rainfall of 58.5 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.
- The nearest hospital, Jackson - Madison County General Hospital District, is 19.4 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Chester County, TN is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 78/100
- Median home price
- $155k
- Property tax
- 0.54%
- Growing season
- 203 days (zone 7b)
- Annual rainfall
- 58.5"
- Broadband
- 99.9%
- Nearest hospital
- Jackson - Madison County General Hospital District, 19.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Chester County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Chester County?
- Chester County is in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 203-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.1°F, and average winter lows of 26.6°F. The established crops are soybeans, cotton, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $155,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.54%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Jackson - Madison County General Hospital District is 19.4 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Tennessee 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 Tennessee
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The closest counties to Chester 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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