Jackson County
TN · Pop. 11,882 · Suburban County
Jackson County sits in Tennessee across 309 square miles, home to 11,882 people at 38.5 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 $135,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.5%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 198-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.3°F and average winter lows of 28°F. Annual rainfall averages 56 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Cookeville Regional Medical Center is 15.8 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 198-day growing season in USDA zone 7a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.5% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $135,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Annual rainfall of 56 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
Cons
- The nearest hospital, Cookeville Regional Medical Center, is 15.8 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- A poverty rate of 20.7% 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.
At a glance
Jackson County, TN is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 91/100
- Median home price
- $135k
- Property tax
- 0.5%
- Growing season
- 198 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 56"
- Broadband
- 99.9%
- Nearest hospital
- Cookeville Regional Medical Center, 15.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Jackson County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Jackson County?
- Jackson County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 198-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.3°F, and average winter lows of 28°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $135,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.5%. 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?
- Cookeville Regional Medical Center is 15.8 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Tennessee Resources
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LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in Tennessee
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The closest counties to Jackson 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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