Roane County
TN · Pop. 54,403 · Mixed County
Roane County, Tennessee covers 361 square miles with a population of 54,403 and a density of 150.7 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, corn. The median home price is $212,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.55%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 209-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.2°F and average winter lows of 28.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 53.3 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Roane Medical Center is 3.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 93.6% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 209-day growing season in USDA zone 7b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.55% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 93.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Roane Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 3.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.7% reflects a stable local job base.
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.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Roane County, TN is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 71/100
- Median home price
- $212k
- Property tax
- 0.55%
- Growing season
- 209 days (zone 7b)
- Annual rainfall
- 53.3"
- Broadband
- 93.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Roane Medical Center, 3.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Roane County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Roane County?
- Roane County is in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 209-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.2°F, and average winter lows of 28.9°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $212,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.55%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 93.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Roane Medical Center is 3.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Tennessee Resources
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LandWatch
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AcreTrader
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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.
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