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Cross County

AR · Pop. 16,681 · Suburban County

98/100Homestead Score

Cross County, Arkansas covers 616 square miles with a population of 16,681 and a density of 27.1 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, rice, corn. The median home price is $104,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.55%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 211-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.9°F and average winter lows of 30.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 48.2 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Crossridge Community Hospital is 4.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 94.6% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.55%
Growing Season: 211 days
Broadband: 94.6%
Density: 27.1/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 211-day growing season in USDA zone 8a 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 $104,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 94.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Crossridge Community Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 4.7 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 20.1% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.

At a glance

Cross County, AR is a strong overall fit for homesteading.

Homestead score
98/100
Median home price
$104k
Property tax
0.55%
Growing season
211 days (zone 8a)
Annual rainfall
48.2"
Broadband
94.6%
Nearest hospital
Crossridge Community Hospital, 4.7 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.55%
Median Household Income$47,012
Poverty Rate20.1%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$104K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone8a
Growing Season211 days
Annual Rainfall48.2 inches
Avg Summer High88.9°F
Avg Winter Low30.9°F
Top CropsSoybeans, Rice, Corn

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought9/10
Wildfire2/10
Tornado7/10
Flood4/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalCrossridge Community Hospital (4.7 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage94.6%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate4.4%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Cross County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Cross County?
Cross County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 211-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.9°F, and average winter lows of 30.9°F. The established crops are soybeans, rice, corn.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $104,000 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 94.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Crossridge Community Hospital is 4.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital 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.