Washington County
FL · Pop. 25,259 · Suburban County
Washington County is a suburban county in Florida, spanning 585 square miles with 25,259 residents at a density of 43.2 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, cotton, peanuts. A median home price of $156,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.5% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 269-day growing season, average summer highs of 92.4°F and average winter lows of 40.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 59.1 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Doctors Memorial Hospital is 11.1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 71.2% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 269-day growing season in USDA zone 9a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.5% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $156,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Doctors Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 11.1 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- Annual rainfall of 59.1 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
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.
- Broadband reaches only 71.2% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- A poverty rate of 18.9% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Washington County, FL is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 80/100
- Median home price
- $156k
- Property tax
- 0.5%
- Growing season
- 269 days (zone 9a)
- Annual rainfall
- 59.1"
- Broadband
- 71.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Doctors Memorial Hospital, 11.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Washington County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Washington County?
- Washington County is in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 269-day growing season, average summer highs of 92.4°F, and average winter lows of 40.4°F. The established crops are hay, cotton, peanuts.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $156,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.5%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 71.2% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Doctors Memorial Hospital is 11.1 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital 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.
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