St. Francis County
AR · Pop. 22,740 · Suburban County
St. Francis County sits in Arkansas across 635 square miles, home to 22,740 people at 35.8 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, cotton, rice. The median home price is $88,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.54%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 211-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.7°F and average winter lows of 30.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 49.9 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Forrest City Medical Center is 1.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 95.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 211-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.54% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $88,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 95.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Forrest City Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 1.8 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
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.
- A poverty rate of 27.8% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
St. Francis County, AR is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 94/100
- Median home price
- $88k
- Property tax
- 0.54%
- Growing season
- 211 days (zone 8a)
- Annual rainfall
- 49.9"
- Broadband
- 95.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Forrest City Medical Center, 1.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in St. Francis County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in St. Francis County?
- St. Francis County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 211-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.7°F, and average winter lows of 30.6°F. The established crops are soybeans, cotton, rice.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $88,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.54%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 95.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Forrest City Medical Center is 1.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Arkansas Resources
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LandWatch
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Arkansas
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The closest counties to St. Francis 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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