Jefferson County
TN · Pop. 55,835 · Mixed County
Jefferson County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Tennessee, spanning 275 square miles with 55,835 residents at a density of 203 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, corn, soybeans. The median home price is $210,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.47%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 167-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.9°F and average winter lows of 24.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 45.8 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Tennova Healthcare - Jefferson Memorial Hospital is 5.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.47% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 99.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Tennova Healthcare - Jefferson Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 5.9 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.7% reflects a stable local job base.
- Annual rainfall of 45.8 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
Cons
- At 203 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
- Wildfire risk is high, so defensible space and fire preparedness should be part of any build plan.
- Flood risk is high, so low-lying parcels deserve careful evaluation before purchase.
At a glance
Jefferson County, TN is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 72/100
- Median home price
- $210k
- Property tax
- 0.47%
- Growing season
- 167 days (zone 7b)
- Annual rainfall
- 45.8"
- Broadband
- 99.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Tennova Healthcare - Jefferson Memorial Hospital, 5.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Jefferson County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Jefferson County?
- Jefferson County is in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 167-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.9°F, and average winter lows of 24.2°F. The established crops are hay, corn, soybeans.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $210,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.47%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Tennova Healthcare - Jefferson Memorial Hospital is 5.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
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 Jefferson 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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