Apache County
AZ · Pop. 65,680 · Rural County
Apache County sits in Arizona across 11,198 square miles, home to 65,680 people at 5.9 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, corn, melons. The median home price is $69,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.84%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 144-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.1°F and average winter lows of 21.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 10.4 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Navajo Health Foundation is 22.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 50.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.84% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $69,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- At 5.9 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
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.
- A 144-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 10.4 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- Broadband reaches only 50.3% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
At a glance
Apache County, AZ is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 27/100
- Median home price
- $69k
- Property tax
- 0.84%
- Growing season
- 144 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 10.4"
- Broadband
- 50.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Navajo Health Foundation, 22.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Apache County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Apache County?
- Apache County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 144-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.1°F, and average winter lows of 21.1°F. The established crops are hay, corn, melons.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $69,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.84%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 50.3% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Navajo Health Foundation is 22.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 7 hospitals in the county.
Explore Arizona 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 Arizona
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The closest counties to Apache 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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