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Boone County

AR · Pop. 37,896 · Suburban County

85/100Homestead Score

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.

Property Tax: 0.53%
Growing Season: 207 days
Broadband: 79.2%
Density: 64.2/sq mi

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

Property Tax Rate0.53%
Median Household Income$54,195
Poverty Rate13.4%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$169K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone7b
Growing Season207 days
Annual Rainfall44.1 inches
Avg Summer High87.4°F
Avg Winter Low28.3°F
Top CropsHay, Haylage, Tomatoes

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought1/10
Wildfire7/10
Tornado8/10
Flood6/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalNorth Arkansas Regional Medical Center (5 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage79.2%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate4%
Ag EconomyModerate

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.

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Nearby counties

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.