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Russell County

VA · Pop. 25,635 · Suburban County

90/100Homestead Score

Russell County sits in Virginia across 474 square miles, home to 25,635 people at 54.1 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, corn. The median home price is $120,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.54%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 167-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.2°F and average winter lows of 23.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 42.9 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Russell County Hospital is 2.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 95.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.54%
Growing Season: 167 days
Broadband: 95.7%
Density: 54.1/sq mi

Pros

  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.54% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • A median home price of $120,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 95.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Russell County Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 2.6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.

Cons

  • A poverty rate of 18.1% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
  • Wildfire risk is high, so defensible space and fire preparedness should be part of any build plan.
  • Flood risk is high, so low-lying parcels deserve careful evaluation before purchase.

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.54%
Median Household Income$49,020
Poverty Rate18.1%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$120K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone7a
Growing Season167 days
Annual Rainfall42.9 inches
Avg Summer High82.2°F
Avg Winter Low23.8°F
Top CropsHay, Haylage, Corn

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought5/10
Wildfire6/10
Tornado2/10
Flood5/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalRussell County Hospital (2.6 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage95.7%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate4.6%
Ag EconomyModerate

Homesteading in Russell County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Russell County?
Russell County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 167-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.2°F, and average winter lows of 23.8°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $120,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.54%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 95.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Russell County Hospital is 2.6 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.