Ashley County
AR · Pop. 18,722 · Rural County
Ashley County sits in Arkansas across 925 square miles, home to 18,722 people at 20.2 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on cotton, soybeans, corn. The median home price is $89,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.61%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 218-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.8°F and average winter lows of 32.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 56.9 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Ashley County Medical Center is 10.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 93.9% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 218-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.61% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $89,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 93.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Ashley County Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 10.3 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A poverty rate of 22.7% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
Ashley County, AR is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 88/100
- Median home price
- $89k
- Property tax
- 0.61%
- Growing season
- 218 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 56.9"
- Broadband
- 93.9%
- Nearest hospital
- Ashley County Medical Center, 10.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Ashley County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Ashley County?
- Ashley County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 218-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.8°F, and average winter lows of 32.9°F. The established crops are cotton, soybeans, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $89,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.61%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 93.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Ashley County Medical Center is 10.3 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Arkansas 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 Arkansas
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The closest counties to Ashley 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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