Worcester County
MA · Pop. 861,664 · Urban County
Worcester County is an urban county in Massachusetts, spanning 1,511 square miles with 861,664 residents at a density of 570.3 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, corn. A median home price of $391,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.33% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 178-day growing season, average summer highs of 76.8°F and average winter lows of 19.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 48.1 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. St Vincent Hospital is 8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.9% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 97.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- St Vincent Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 8 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low poverty rate of 10.3% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- 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.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.33% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
At a glance
Worcester County, MA is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 19/100
- Median home price
- $391k
- Property tax
- 1.33%
- Growing season
- 178 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 48.1"
- Broadband
- 97.9%
- Nearest hospital
- St Vincent Hospital, 8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Worcester County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Worcester County?
- Worcester County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 178-day growing season, average summer highs of 76.8°F, and average winter lows of 19.6°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $391,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.33%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- St Vincent Hospital is 8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 17 hospitals in the county.
Explore Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts
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The closest counties to Worcester 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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