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Bladen County

NC · Pop. 29,591 · Suburban County

74/100Homestead Score

Bladen County, North Carolina covers 875 square miles with a population of 29,591 and a density of 33.8 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on corn, soybeans, hay. A median home price of $126,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.9% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 219-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.5°F and average winter lows of 32.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 49.3 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Cape Fear Valley - Bladen County Hospital is 4.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 88.5% 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.

Property Tax: 0.9%
Growing Season: 219 days
Broadband: 88.5%
Density: 33.8/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 219-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.9% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • A median home price of $126,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Cape Fear Valley - Bladen County Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 4.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.

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.
  • A poverty rate of 21.2% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.

At a glance

Bladen County, NC is a strong overall fit for homesteading.

Homestead score
74/100
Median home price
$126k
Property tax
0.9%
Growing season
219 days (zone 8b)
Annual rainfall
49.3"
Broadband
88.5%
Nearest hospital
Cape Fear Valley - Bladen County Hospital, 4.4 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.9%
Median Household Income$44,528
Poverty Rate21.2%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$126K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone8b
Growing Season219 days
Annual Rainfall49.3 inches
Avg Summer High88.5°F
Avg Winter Low32.5°F
Top CropsCorn, Soybeans, Hay

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought6/10
Wildfire9/10
Tornado8/10
Flood7/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalCape Fear Valley - Bladen County Hospital (4.4 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage88.5%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate5.3%
Ag EconomyModerate

Homesteading in Bladen County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Bladen County?
Bladen County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 219-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.5°F, and average winter lows of 32.5°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $126,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.9%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 88.5% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
How close is healthcare?
Cape Fear Valley - Bladen County Hospital is 4.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

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Nearby counties

The closest counties to Bladen 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.