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Drew County

AR · Pop. 17,143 · Rural County

84/100Homestead Score

Drew County, Arkansas covers 829 square miles with a population of 17,143 and a density of 20.7 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on soybeans, cotton, hay. A median home price of $128,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.45% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 233-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.9°F and average winter lows of 35.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 53.5 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Drew Memorial Hospital is 5.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 67.7% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.45%
Growing Season: 233 days
Broadband: 67.7%
Density: 20.7/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 233-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.45% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • A median home price of $128,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Drew Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 5.7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • At 20.7 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.

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.
  • Broadband reaches only 67.7% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
  • A poverty rate of 22.7% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.

At a glance

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

Homestead score
84/100
Median home price
$128k
Property tax
0.45%
Growing season
233 days (zone 8b)
Annual rainfall
53.5"
Broadband
67.7%
Nearest hospital
Drew Memorial Hospital, 5.7 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.45%
Median Household Income$41,071
Poverty Rate22.7%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$128K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone8b
Growing Season233 days
Annual Rainfall53.5 inches
Avg Summer High90.9°F
Avg Winter Low35.6°F
Top CropsSoybeans, Cotton, Hay

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought9/10
Wildfire3/10
Tornado7/10
Flood2/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalDrew Memorial Hospital (5.7 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage67.7%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate5%
Ag EconomyModerate

Homesteading in Drew County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Drew County?
Drew County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 233-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.9°F, and average winter lows of 35.6°F. The established crops are soybeans, cotton, hay.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $128,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.45%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 67.7% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
How close is healthcare?
Drew Memorial Hospital is 5.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

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Nearby counties

The closest counties to Drew 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.