Hancock County
TN · Pop. 6,790 · Suburban County
Hancock County, Tennessee covers 222 square miles with a population of 6,790 and a density of 30.6 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, corn. The median home price is $118,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.45%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 191-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.2°F and average winter lows of 27.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 44.7 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Hancock County Hospital is 1.1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.7% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 191-day growing season in USDA zone 7a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.45% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $118,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 99.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Hancock County Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 1.1 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- A poverty rate of 31.5% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
- 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
Hancock County, TN is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 100/100
- Median home price
- $118k
- Property tax
- 0.45%
- Growing season
- 191 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 44.7"
- Broadband
- 99.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Hancock County Hospital, 1.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Hancock County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Hancock County?
- Hancock County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 191-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.2°F, and average winter lows of 27.1°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $118,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.45%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Hancock County Hospital is 1.1 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
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More counties in Tennessee
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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.