Emery County
UT · Pop. 9,968 · Rural County
Emery County is a rural county in Utah, spanning 4,463 square miles with 9,968 residents at a density of 2.2 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, corn, haylage. The median home price is $197,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.58%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 130-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.6°F and average winter lows of 12.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 8.6 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Castleview Hospital is 41.6 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 94.4% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.58% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $197,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 94.4% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- At 2.2 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low poverty rate of 11.3% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- A 130-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 8.6 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- The nearest hospital, Castleview Hospital, is 41.6 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- Average winter lows of 12.7°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Emery County, UT is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 37/100
- Median home price
- $197k
- Property tax
- 0.58%
- Growing season
- 130 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 8.6"
- Broadband
- 94.4%
- Nearest hospital
- Castleview Hospital, 41.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Emery County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Emery County?
- Emery County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 130-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.6°F, and average winter lows of 12.7°F. The established crops are hay, corn, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $197,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.58%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 94.4% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Castleview Hospital is 41.6 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Utah Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
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More counties in Utah
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The closest counties to Emery 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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