Lee County
AR · Pop. 8,511 · Rural County
Lee County is a rural county in Arkansas, spanning 600 square miles with 8,511 residents at a density of 14.2 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 $78,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.53% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 233-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.2°F and average winter lows of 33.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 50.6 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Forrest City Medical Center is 18 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 83.6% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 233-day growing season in USDA zone 8a 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 $78,000 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 14.2 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.
- The nearest hospital, Forrest City Medical Center, is 18 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- A poverty rate of 27.7% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
Lee County, AR is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 87/100
- Median home price
- $78k
- Property tax
- 0.53%
- Growing season
- 233 days (zone 8a)
- Annual rainfall
- 50.6"
- Broadband
- 83.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Forrest City Medical Center, 18 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Lee County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Lee County?
- Lee County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 233-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.2°F, and average winter lows of 33.3°F. The established crops are soybeans, cotton, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $78,000 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 83.6% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Forrest City Medical Center is 18 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
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 Lee 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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