Unicoi County
TN · Pop. 17,779 · Suburban County
Unicoi County sits in Tennessee across 186 square miles, home to 17,779 people at 95.6 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, corn, beans. A median home price of $168,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.57% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 189-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.6°F and average winter lows of 28.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 44.9 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Unicoi County Hospital is 1.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.2% of homes.
Pros
- A long 189-day growing season in USDA zone 7a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.57% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $168,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 98.2% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Unicoi County Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 1.9 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Unicoi County, TN is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 100/100
- Median home price
- $168k
- Property tax
- 0.57%
- Growing season
- 189 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 44.9"
- Broadband
- 98.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Unicoi County Hospital, 1.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Unicoi County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Unicoi County?
- Unicoi County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 189-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.6°F, and average winter lows of 28.4°F. The established crops are hay, corn, beans.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $168,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.57%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.2% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Unicoi County Hospital is 1.9 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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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Tennessee
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The closest counties to Unicoi 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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