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Frederick County

MD · Pop. 280,341 · Mixed County

35/100Homestead Score

Frederick County, Maryland covers 661 square miles with a population of 280,341 and a density of 424.1 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, soybeans, corn. The median home price is $438,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.02%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 209-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.8°F and average winter lows of 28°F. Annual rainfall averages 41 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Frederick Health Hospital is 3.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.1% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.02%
Growing Season: 209 days
Broadband: 97.1%
Density: 424.1/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 209-day growing season in USDA zone 7a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • Broadband reaches 97.1% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Frederick Health Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 3.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A strong agricultural economy built on hay, soybeans, corn means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
  • A low unemployment rate of 3.5% 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.
  • Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
  • A median home price of $438,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
  • At 424.1 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.

At a glance

Frederick County, MD is a challenging place to homestead on the data.

Homestead score
35/100
Median home price
$438k
Property tax
1.02%
Growing season
209 days (zone 7a)
Annual rainfall
41"
Broadband
97.1%
Nearest hospital
Frederick Health Hospital, 3.4 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.02%
Median Household Income$120,458
Poverty Rate6.3%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$438K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone7a
Growing Season209 days
Annual Rainfall41 inches
Avg Summer High86.8°F
Avg Winter Low28°F
Top CropsHay, Soybeans, Corn

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought8/10
Wildfire3/10
Tornado7/10
Flood9/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalFrederick Health Hospital (3.4 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage97.1%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.5%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Frederick County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Frederick County?
Frederick County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 209-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.8°F, and average winter lows of 28°F. The established crops are hay, soybeans, corn.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $438,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.02%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 97.1% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Frederick Health Hospital is 3.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

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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.