Saline County
AR · Pop. 125,724 · Mixed County
Saline County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Arkansas, spanning 724 square miles with 125,724 residents at a density of 173.7 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, sweet corn. The median home price is $212,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.63%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 222-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.7°F and average winter lows of 32.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 55.1 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Saline Memorial Hospital is 7.2 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 very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 222-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.63% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 96.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Saline Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 7.2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.4% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- 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.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Saline County, AR is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 67/100
- Median home price
- $212k
- Property tax
- 0.63%
- Growing season
- 222 days (zone 8a)
- Annual rainfall
- 55.1"
- Broadband
- 96.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Saline Memorial Hospital, 7.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Saline County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Saline County?
- Saline County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 222-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.7°F, and average winter lows of 32.2°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, sweet corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $212,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.63%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 96.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Saline Memorial Hospital is 7.2 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 Saline 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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