Washington County
VA · Pop. 53,913 · Suburban County
Washington County sits in Virginia across 561 square miles, home to 53,913 people at 96.1 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, corn. The median home price is $202,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.51%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 176-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.2°F and average winter lows of 24.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 45.6 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Johnston Memorial Hospital is 2.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.51% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 98.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Johnston Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 2.7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.5% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 11% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
At a glance
Washington County, VA is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 76/100
- Median home price
- $202k
- Property tax
- 0.51%
- Growing season
- 176 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 45.6"
- Broadband
- 98.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Johnston Memorial Hospital, 2.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Washington County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Washington County?
- Washington County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 176-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.2°F, and average winter lows of 24.8°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $202,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.51%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Johnston Memorial Hospital is 2.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Virginia Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
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More counties in Virginia
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The closest counties to Washington 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.
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