Virginia Beach city
VA · Pop. 457,066 · Urban County
Virginia Beach city, Virginia covers 245 square miles with a population of 457,066 and a density of 1865.6 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on soybeans, wheat, corn. A median home price of $366,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.8% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 234-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.6°F and average winter lows of 33.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 44.3 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Sentara Princess Anne Hospital is 3.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 96.4% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 234-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.8% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 96.4% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Sentara Princess Anne Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 3.8 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.2% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- A median home price of $366,000 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 1865.6 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Virginia Beach city, VA is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 61/100
- Median home price
- $366k
- Property tax
- 0.8%
- Growing season
- 234 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 44.3"
- Broadband
- 96.4%
- Nearest hospital
- Sentara Princess Anne Hospital, 3.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Virginia Beach city: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Virginia Beach city?
- Virginia Beach city is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 234-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.6°F, and average winter lows of 33.5°F. The established crops are soybeans, wheat, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $366,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.8%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 96.4% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Sentara Princess Anne Hospital is 3.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 4 hospitals in the county.
Explore Virginia 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 Virginia
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The closest counties to Virginia Beach city 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.
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