Union County
TN · Pop. 20,141 · Suburban County
Union County is a suburban county in Tennessee, spanning 224 square miles with 20,141 residents at a density of 89.9 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, corn. A median home price of $186,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.39% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 187-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.1°F and average winter lows of 26.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 54.1 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Tennova Healthcare - Lafollette Medical Center is 16.9 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 96.3% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 187-day growing season in USDA zone 7b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.39% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $186,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 96.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.7% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- The nearest hospital, Tennova Healthcare - Lafollette Medical Center, is 16.9 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
- Wildfire risk is high, so defensible space and fire preparedness should be part of any build plan.
At a glance
Union County, TN is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 79/100
- Median home price
- $186k
- Property tax
- 0.39%
- Growing season
- 187 days (zone 7b)
- Annual rainfall
- 54.1"
- Broadband
- 96.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Tennova Healthcare - Lafollette Medical Center, 16.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Union County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Union County?
- Union County is in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 187-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.1°F, and average winter lows of 26.7°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $186,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.39%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 96.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Tennova Healthcare - Lafollette Medical Center is 16.9 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
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 Union 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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