Yakima County
WA · Pop. 256,605 · Suburban County
Yakima County is a suburban county in Washington, spanning 4,295 square miles with 256,605 residents at a density of 59.7 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, corn, wheat. A median home price of $281,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.82% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 190-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.7°F and average winter lows of 27°F. Annual rainfall averages 8.3 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Virginia Mason Memorial Hospital is 13.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 190-day growing season in USDA zone 7a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.82% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 98.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A strong agricultural economy built on hay, corn, wheat means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- Annual rainfall of just 8.3 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
At a glance
Yakima County, WA is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 33/100
- Median home price
- $281k
- Property tax
- 0.82%
- Growing season
- 190 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 8.3"
- Broadband
- 98.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Virginia Mason Memorial Hospital, 13.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Yakima County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Yakima County?
- Yakima County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 190-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.7°F, and average winter lows of 27°F. The established crops are hay, corn, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $281,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.82%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Virginia Mason Memorial Hospital is 13.2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 4 hospitals in the county.
Explore Washington Resources
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More counties in Washington
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The closest counties to Yakima 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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