Pend Oreille County
WA · Pop. 13,811 · Rural County
Pend Oreille County sits in Washington across 1,400 square miles, home to 13,811 people at 9.9 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, tomatoes. The median home price is $308,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.67%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 109-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.4°F and average winter lows of 21°F. Annual rainfall averages 31.5 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Newport Hospital and Health Services is 26.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 82.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.67% holds annual carrying costs down.
- At 9.9 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A median household income of $63,750 anchors the local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 109-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- The nearest hospital, Newport Hospital and Health Services, is 26.3 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Pend Oreille County, WA is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 45/100
- Median home price
- $308k
- Property tax
- 0.67%
- Growing season
- 109 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 31.5"
- Broadband
- 82.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Newport Hospital and Health Services, 26.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Pend Oreille County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Pend Oreille County?
- Pend Oreille County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 109-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.4°F, and average winter lows of 21°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, tomatoes.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $308,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.67%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 82.7% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Newport Hospital and Health Services is 26.3 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.
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