McMinn County
TN · Pop. 54,135 · Mixed County
McMinn County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Tennessee, spanning 430 square miles with 54,135 residents at a density of 125.9 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, soybeans, haylage. The median home price is $190,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.37%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 195-day growing season, average summer highs of 87°F and average winter lows of 27.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 55.6 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Starr Regional Medical Center is 1.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 92.6% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 195-day growing season in USDA zone 7b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.37% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $190,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 92.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Starr Regional Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 1.3 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- 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.
- Wildfire risk is high, so defensible space and fire preparedness should be part of any build plan.
At a glance
McMinn County, TN is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 72/100
- Median home price
- $190k
- Property tax
- 0.37%
- Growing season
- 195 days (zone 7b)
- Annual rainfall
- 55.6"
- Broadband
- 92.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Starr Regional Medical Center, 1.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in McMinn County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in McMinn County?
- McMinn County is in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 195-day growing season, average summer highs of 87°F, and average winter lows of 27.9°F. The established crops are hay, soybeans, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $190,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.37%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 92.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Starr Regional Medical Center is 1.3 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
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 McMinn 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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