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Craighead County

AR · Pop. 112,097 · Mixed County

62/100Homestead Score

Craighead County, Arkansas covers 707 square miles with a population of 112,097 and a density of 158.6 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, cotton, rice. A median home price of $199,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.55% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 221-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.8°F and average winter lows of 30.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 48.1 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Arkansas Continued Care Hospital of Jonesboro is 2.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 96.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.55%
Growing Season: 221 days
Broadband: 96.3%
Density: 158.6/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 221-day growing season in USDA zone 7b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.55% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • A median home price of $199,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 96.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Arkansas Continued Care Hospital of Jonesboro, with an emergency room, is just 2.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.

Cons

  • 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.
  • Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
  • A poverty rate of 19.1% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.

At a glance

Craighead County, AR is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.

Homestead score
62/100
Median home price
$199k
Property tax
0.55%
Growing season
221 days (zone 7b)
Annual rainfall
48.1"
Broadband
96.3%
Nearest hospital
Arkansas Continued Care Hospital of Jonesboro, 2.4 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.55%
Median Household Income$57,615
Poverty Rate19.1%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$199K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone7b
Growing Season221 days
Annual Rainfall48.1 inches
Avg Summer High89.8°F
Avg Winter Low30.5°F
Top CropsSoybeans, Cotton, Rice

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought10/10
Wildfire5/10
Tornado10/10
Flood8/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalArkansas Continued Care Hospital of Jonesboro (2.4 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities5

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage96.3%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate4%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Craighead County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Craighead County?
Craighead County is in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 221-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.8°F, and average winter lows of 30.5°F. The established crops are soybeans, cotton, rice.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $199,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.55%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 96.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Arkansas Continued Care Hospital of Jonesboro is 2.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 5 hospitals in the county.

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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.