Monroe County
TN · Pop. 47,054 · Suburban County
Monroe County sits in Tennessee across 636 square miles, home to 47,054 people at 74 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, soybeans. The median home price is $200,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.44%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 189-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.3°F and average winter lows of 28.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 55.1 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Sweetwater Hospital Association is 16 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 82.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 189-day growing season in USDA zone 7b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.44% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $200,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- A low unemployment rate of 4% 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.
At a glance
Monroe County, TN is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 61/100
- Median home price
- $200k
- Property tax
- 0.44%
- Growing season
- 189 days (zone 7b)
- Annual rainfall
- 55.1"
- Broadband
- 82.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Sweetwater Hospital Association, 16 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Monroe County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Monroe County?
- Monroe County is in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 189-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.3°F, and average winter lows of 28.6°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, soybeans.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $200,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.44%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 82.7% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Sweetwater Hospital Association is 16 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Tennessee Resources
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More counties in Tennessee
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The closest counties to Monroe 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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