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Sebastian County

AR · Pop. 128,448 · Mixed County

63/100Homestead Score

Sebastian County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Arkansas, spanning 531 square miles with 128,448 residents at a density of 241.9 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, soybeans, corn. A median home price of $166,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.65% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 221-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.5°F and average winter lows of 31.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 45.5 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Mercy Orthopedic Hospital Fort Smith is 11.1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 96.8% 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.

Property Tax: 0.65%
Growing Season: 221 days
Broadband: 96.8%
Density: 241.9/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 221-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.65% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • A median home price of $166,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 96.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Mercy Orthopedic Hospital Fort Smith, with an emergency room, is just 11.1 miles away — strong local healthcare access.

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.
  • At 241.9 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.

At a glance

Sebastian County, AR is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.

Homestead score
63/100
Median home price
$166k
Property tax
0.65%
Growing season
221 days (zone 8a)
Annual rainfall
45.5"
Broadband
96.8%
Nearest hospital
Mercy Orthopedic Hospital Fort Smith, 11.1 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.65%
Median Household Income$56,450
Poverty Rate16.3%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$166K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone8a
Growing Season221 days
Annual Rainfall45.5 inches
Avg Summer High91.5°F
Avg Winter Low31.1°F
Top CropsHay, Soybeans, Corn

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought4/10
Wildfire10/10
Tornado10/10
Flood9/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalMercy Orthopedic Hospital Fort Smith (11.1 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities8

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage96.8%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate4%
Ag EconomyModerate

Homesteading in Sebastian County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Sebastian County?
Sebastian County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 221-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.5°F, and average winter lows of 31.1°F. The established crops are hay, soybeans, corn.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $166,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.65%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 96.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Mercy Orthopedic Hospital Fort Smith is 11.1 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 8 hospitals 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.