Benton County
AR · Pop. 294,541 · Mixed County
Benton County, Arkansas covers 848 square miles with a population of 294,541 and a density of 347.3 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, wheat, haylage. A median home price of $285,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.61% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 191-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.5°F and average winter lows of 25.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 47.1 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Northwest Medical Center - Bentonville is 3.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 87.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 191-day growing season in USDA zone 7a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.61% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Northwest Medical Center - Bentonville, with an emergency room, is just 3.6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.2% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 7.6% 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.
- At 347.3 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Benton County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Benton County?
- Benton County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 191-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.5°F, and average winter lows of 25.3°F. The established crops are hay, wheat, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $285,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.61%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 87.7% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Northwest Medical Center - Bentonville is 3.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 5 hospitals in the county.
Explore Arkansas 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 Arkansas
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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.
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