Herkimer County
NY · Pop. 59,932 · Suburban County
Herkimer County is a suburban county in New York, spanning 1,411 square miles with 59,932 residents at a density of 42.5 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, corn. The median home price is $135,000, with an effective property tax rate of 2.27%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 121-day growing season, average summer highs of 73°F and average winter lows of 7.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 50 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Lewis County General Hospital is 36.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 90.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $135,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 90.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Annual rainfall of 50 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
Cons
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A 121-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 2.27% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- The nearest hospital, Lewis County General Hospital, is 36.4 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- Average winter lows of 7.2°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Herkimer County, NY is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 38/100
- Median home price
- $135k
- Property tax
- 2.27%
- Growing season
- 121 days (zone 4b)
- Annual rainfall
- 50"
- Broadband
- 90.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Lewis County General Hospital, 36.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Herkimer County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Herkimer County?
- Herkimer County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 121-day growing season, average summer highs of 73°F, and average winter lows of 7.2°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $135,000 and the effective property tax rate is 2.27%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 90.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Lewis County General Hospital is 36.4 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.
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