Talbot County
MD · Pop. 37,707 · Mixed County
Talbot County sits in Maryland across 269 square miles, home to 37,707 people at 140.2 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on soybeans, corn, wheat. A median home price of $398,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.66% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 219-day growing season, average summer highs of 86°F and average winter lows of 30.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 46.8 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Umd Shore Medical Center at Easton is 5.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.7% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 219-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.66% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 98.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Umd Shore Medical Center at Easton, with an emergency room, is just 5.7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 4% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A median home price of $398,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
At a glance
Talbot County, MD is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 49/100
- Median home price
- $398k
- Property tax
- 0.66%
- Growing season
- 219 days (zone 8a)
- Annual rainfall
- 46.8"
- Broadband
- 98.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Umd Shore Medical Center at Easton, 5.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Talbot County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Talbot County?
- Talbot County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 219-day growing season, average summer highs of 86°F, and average winter lows of 30.4°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $398,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.66%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Umd Shore Medical Center at Easton is 5.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Maryland Resources
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LandWatch
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More counties in Maryland
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The closest counties to Talbot 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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