How affordable is land and property here?

The median home price is $266,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.55%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.

Is broadband internet available?

Broadband reaches 98.5% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.

Washington County

AR · Pop. 251,863 · Mixed County

60/100Homestead Score

Washington County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Arkansas, spanning 941 square miles with 251,863 residents at a density of 267.7 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, soybeans. A median home price of $266,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.55% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 186-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.1°F and average winter lows of 26.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 48.5 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Washington Regional Medical Center is 9.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.5% 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: 0.55%

Growing Season: 186 days

Broadband: 98.5%

Density: 267.7/sq mi

Pros

A long 186-day growing season in USDA zone 7a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
A low effective property tax rate of 0.55% holds annual carrying costs down.
Broadband reaches 98.5% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
Washington Regional Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 9.6 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.
At 267.7 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.

At a glance

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

Homestead score: 60/100
Median home price: $266k
Property tax: 0.55%
Growing season: 186 days (zone 7a)
Annual rainfall: 48.5"
Broadband: 98.5%
Nearest hospital: Washington Regional Medical Center, 9.6 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.55%

Median Household Income$66,426

Poverty Rate14.8%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$266K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone7a

Growing Season186 days

Annual Rainfall48.5 inches

Avg Summer High87.1°F

Avg Winter Low26.7°F

Top CropsHay, Haylage, Soybeans

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought1/10

Wildfire10/10

Tornado10/10

Flood10/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalWashington Regional Medical Center (9.6 mi)

Emergency RoomYes

Healthcare Facilities10

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage98.5%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.4%

Ag EconomyModerate

Homesteading in Washington County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Washington County?: Washington County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 186-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.1°F, and average winter lows of 26.7°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, soybeans.
How affordable is land and property here?: The median home price is $266,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.55%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
Is broadband internet available?: Broadband reaches 98.5% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?: Washington Regional Medical Center is 9.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 10 hospitals in the county.

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Data sources

Verified June 2026

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.