Baxter County
AR · Pop. 42,150 · Suburban County
Baxter County is a suburban county in Arkansas, spanning 554 square miles with 42,150 residents at a density of 76.1 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, tomatoes. A median home price of $165,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.46% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 209-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.1°F and average winter lows of 27.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 48.1 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Baxter Regional Medical Center is 5.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.1% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 209-day growing season in USDA zone 7a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.46% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $165,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 99.1% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Baxter Regional Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 5.7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Baxter County, AR is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 93/100
- Median home price
- $165k
- Property tax
- 0.46%
- Growing season
- 209 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 48.1"
- Broadband
- 99.1%
- Nearest hospital
- Baxter Regional Medical Center, 5.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Baxter County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Baxter County?
- Baxter County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 209-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.1°F, and average winter lows of 27.5°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, tomatoes.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $165,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.46%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.1% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Baxter Regional Medical Center is 5.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Arkansas Resources
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Arkansas
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The closest counties to Baxter 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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