Grainger County
TN · Pop. 23,929 · Suburban County
Grainger County sits in Tennessee across 281 square miles, home to 23,929 people at 85.2 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, corn, haylage. The median home price is $172,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.51%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 211-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.1°F and average winter lows of 30.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 44.3 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Tennova Healthcare - Jefferson Memorial Hospital is 11.8 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.6% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 211-day growing season in USDA zone 7b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.51% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $172,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 99.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.6% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- The nearest hospital, Tennova Healthcare - Jefferson Memorial Hospital, is 11.8 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
- Wildfire risk is high, so defensible space and fire preparedness should be part of any build plan.
At a glance
Grainger County, TN is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 81/100
- Median home price
- $172k
- Property tax
- 0.51%
- Growing season
- 211 days (zone 7b)
- Annual rainfall
- 44.3"
- Broadband
- 99.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Tennova Healthcare - Jefferson Memorial Hospital, 11.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Grainger County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Grainger County?
- Grainger County is in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 211-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.1°F, and average winter lows of 30.3°F. The established crops are hay, corn, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $172,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.51%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Tennova Healthcare - Jefferson Memorial Hospital is 11.8 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 Grainger 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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