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Kent County

DE · Pop. 185,043 · Mixed County

53/100Homestead Score

Kent County sits in Delaware across 586 square miles, home to 185,043 people at 315.8 per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, wheat. A median home price of $291,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.46% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 210-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.1°F and average winter lows of 29°F. Annual rainfall averages 46.1 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Bayhealth Hospital Kent Campus is 3.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.46%
Growing Season: 210 days
Broadband: 97.7%
Density: 315.8/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 210-day growing season in USDA zone 7b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.46% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • Broadband reaches 97.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Bayhealth Hospital Kent Campus, with an emergency room, is just 3.9 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A strong agricultural economy built on corn, soybeans, wheat means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.

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.
  • Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
  • At 315.8 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.

At a glance

Kent County, DE is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.

Homestead score
53/100
Median home price
$291k
Property tax
0.46%
Growing season
210 days (zone 7b)
Annual rainfall
46.1"
Broadband
97.7%
Nearest hospital
Bayhealth Hospital Kent Campus, 3.9 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.46%
Median Household Income$72,872
Poverty Rate11.3%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$291K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone7b
Growing Season210 days
Annual Rainfall46.1 inches
Avg Summer High85.1°F
Avg Winter Low29°F
Top CropsCorn, Soybeans, Wheat

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought9/10
Wildfire7/10
Tornado7/10
Flood9/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalBayhealth Hospital Kent Campus (3.9 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities4

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage97.7%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate5.3%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Kent County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Kent County?
Kent County is in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 210-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.1°F, and average winter lows of 29°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, wheat.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $291,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.46%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 97.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Bayhealth Hospital Kent Campus is 3.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 4 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.