Boone County
AR · Pop. 37,896 · Suburban County
Boone County sits in Arkansas across 590 square miles, home to 37,896 people at 64.2 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, tomatoes. The median home price is $169,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.53%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 207-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.4°F and average winter lows of 28.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 44.1 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. North Arkansas Regional Medical Center is 5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 79.2% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 207-day growing season in USDA zone 7b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.53% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $169,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- North Arkansas Regional Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 4% reflects a stable local job base.
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.
- Broadband reaches only 79.2% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
At a glance
Boone County, AR is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 85/100
- Median home price
- $169k
- Property tax
- 0.53%
- Growing season
- 207 days (zone 7b)
- Annual rainfall
- 44.1"
- Broadband
- 79.2%
- Nearest hospital
- North Arkansas Regional Medical Center, 5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Boone County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Boone County?
- Boone County is in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 207-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.4°F, and average winter lows of 28.3°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, tomatoes.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $169,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.53%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 79.2% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- North Arkansas Regional Medical Center is 5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Arkansas Resources
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More counties in Arkansas
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The closest counties to Boone 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.