Gloucester County
VA · Pop. 39,228 · Mixed County
Gloucester County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Virginia, spanning 218 square miles with 39,228 residents at a density of 179.9 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on soybeans, corn, wheat. A median home price of $289,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.59% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 217-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.3°F and average winter lows of 30.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 47.9 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Riverside Walter Reed Hospital is 1.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 81.6% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 217-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.59% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Riverside Walter Reed Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 1.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.9% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 6.8% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
- Wildfire risk is high, so defensible space and fire preparedness should be part of any build plan.
At a glance
Gloucester County, VA is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 56/100
- Median home price
- $289k
- Property tax
- 0.59%
- Growing season
- 217 days (zone 8a)
- Annual rainfall
- 47.9"
- Broadband
- 81.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Riverside Walter Reed Hospital, 1.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Gloucester County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Gloucester County?
- Gloucester County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 217-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.3°F, and average winter lows of 30.4°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $289,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.59%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 81.6% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Riverside Walter Reed Hospital is 1.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
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More counties in Virginia
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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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