Skip to content
Submit

Hamilton County

TN · Pop. 370,913 · Urban County

52/100Homestead Score

Hamilton County is an urban county in Tennessee, spanning 542 square miles with 370,913 residents at a density of 684.3 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, corn. The median home price is $282,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.67%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 192-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.9°F and average winter lows of 28.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 58.9 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. CHI Memorial Hospital Hixson is 3.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.67%
Growing Season: 192 days
Broadband: 99.9%
Density: 684.3/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 192-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.67% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • CHI Memorial Hospital Hixson, with an emergency room, is just 3.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A low unemployment rate of 3.3% reflects a stable local job base.

Cons

  • Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
  • 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.
  • The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
  • At 684.3 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.

At a glance

Hamilton County, TN is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.

Homestead score
52/100
Median home price
$282k
Property tax
0.67%
Growing season
192 days (zone 8a)
Annual rainfall
58.9"
Broadband
99.9%
Nearest hospital
CHI Memorial Hospital Hixson, 3.4 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.67%
Median Household Income$72,568
Poverty Rate12.5%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$282K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone8a
Growing Season192 days
Annual Rainfall58.9 inches
Avg Summer High82.9°F
Avg Winter Low28.6°F
Top CropsHay, Haylage, Corn

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought4/10
Wildfire8/10
Tornado10/10
Flood10/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalCHI Memorial Hospital Hixson (3.4 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities12

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage99.9%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.3%
Ag EconomyWeak

Homesteading in Hamilton County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Hamilton County?
Hamilton County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 192-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.9°F, and average winter lows of 28.6°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $282,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.67%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
CHI Memorial Hospital Hixson is 3.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 12 hospitals in the county.

Explore Tennessee Resources

Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you

LandWatch

Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.

Browse Land Listings

Lands of America

The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.

Search Rural Properties

AcreTrader

Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.

Explore Farmland Investments

More counties in Tennessee

All Tennessee counties

Nearby counties

The closest counties to Hamilton 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.