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Chesapeake city

VA · Pop. 251,153 · Urban County

47/100Homestead Score

Chesapeake city is an urban county in Virginia, spanning 338 square miles with 251,153 residents at a density of 743.1 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on soybeans, corn, wheat. The median home price is $359,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.82%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 248-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.8°F and average winter lows of 33.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 50.8 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Chesapeake Regional Medical Center is 5.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 95.5% 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: 0.82%
Growing Season: 248 days
Broadband: 95.5%
Density: 743.1/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 248-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.82% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • Broadband reaches 95.5% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 5.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A low unemployment rate of 3.3% reflects a stable local job base.

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 median home price of $359,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
  • The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.

At a glance

Chesapeake city, VA is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.

Homestead score
47/100
Median home price
$359k
Property tax
0.82%
Growing season
248 days (zone 8a)
Annual rainfall
50.8"
Broadband
95.5%
Nearest hospital
Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, 5.5 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.82%
Median Household Income$94,189
Poverty Rate8.7%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$359K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone8a
Growing Season248 days
Annual Rainfall50.8 inches
Avg Summer High86.8°F
Avg Winter Low33.1°F
Top CropsSoybeans, Corn, Wheat

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought5/10
Wildfire7/10
Tornado8/10
Flood9/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalChesapeake Regional Medical Center (5.5 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage95.5%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.3%
Ag EconomyWeak

Homesteading in Chesapeake city: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Chesapeake city?
Chesapeake city is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 248-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.8°F, and average winter lows of 33.1°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, wheat.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $359,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.82%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 95.5% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Chesapeake Regional Medical Center is 5.5 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.