Desha County
AR · Pop. 11,041 · Rural County
Desha County is a rural county in Arkansas, spanning 741 square miles with 11,041 residents at a density of 14.9 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, cotton, corn. A median home price of $89,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.58% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 239-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.7°F and average winter lows of 35°F. Annual rainfall averages 51.9 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Delta Memorial Hospital is 13.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 86.1% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 239-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.58% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $89,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- A strong agricultural economy built on soybeans, cotton, corn means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 14.9 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A poverty rate of 28.9% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
Desha County, AR is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 96/100
- Median home price
- $89k
- Property tax
- 0.58%
- Growing season
- 239 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 51.9"
- Broadband
- 86.1%
- Nearest hospital
- Delta Memorial Hospital, 13.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Desha County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Desha County?
- Desha County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 239-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.7°F, and average winter lows of 35°F. The established crops are soybeans, cotton, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $89,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.58%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 86.1% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Delta Memorial Hospital is 13.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore Arkansas Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Arkansas
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The closest counties to Desha 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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