Lauderdale County
TN · Pop. 24,933 · Suburban County
Lauderdale County, Tennessee covers 472 square miles with a population of 24,933 and a density of 52.8 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, cotton, corn. A median home price of $122,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.66% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 225-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.9°F and average winter lows of 30.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 53 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Lauderdale Community Hospital is 4.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.2% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 225-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.
- A median home price of $122,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 97.2% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Lauderdale Community Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 4.6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A poverty rate of 18.7% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
Lauderdale County, TN is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 93/100
- Median home price
- $122k
- Property tax
- 0.66%
- Growing season
- 225 days (zone 8a)
- Annual rainfall
- 53"
- Broadband
- 97.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Lauderdale Community Hospital, 4.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Lauderdale County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Lauderdale County?
- Lauderdale County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 225-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.9°F, and average winter lows of 30.7°F. The established crops are soybeans, cotton, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $122,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.66%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97.2% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Lauderdale Community Hospital is 4.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Tennessee Resources
Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in Tennessee
All Tennessee countiesNearby counties
The closest counties to Lauderdale 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.