Skip to content
Submit

Anne Arundel County

MD · Pop. 590,936 · Urban County

40/100Homestead Score

Anne Arundel County, Maryland covers 415 square miles with a population of 590,936 and a density of 1423.9 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, soybeans, corn. A median home price of $450,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.85% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 229-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.5°F and average winter lows of 31°F. Annual rainfall averages 47.3 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center, Inc is 1.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.85%
Growing Season: 229 days
Broadband: 99.7%
Density: 1423.9/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 229-day growing season in USDA zone 7b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.85% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • Broadband reaches 99.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center, Inc, with an emergency room, is just 1.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A low unemployment rate of 3.4% reflects a stable local job base.

Cons

  • 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.
  • A median home price of $450,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
  • The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.

At a glance

Anne Arundel County, MD is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.

Homestead score
40/100
Median home price
$450k
Property tax
0.85%
Growing season
229 days (zone 7b)
Annual rainfall
47.3"
Broadband
99.7%
Nearest hospital
Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center, Inc, 1.4 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.85%
Median Household Income$120,324
Poverty Rate5.5%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$450K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone7b
Growing Season229 days
Annual Rainfall47.3 inches
Avg Summer High87.5°F
Avg Winter Low31°F
Top CropsHay, Soybeans, Corn

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought8/10
Wildfire4/10
Tornado9/10
Flood9/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalLuminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center, Inc (1.4 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities4

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage99.7%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.4%
Ag EconomyWeak

Homesteading in Anne Arundel County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Anne Arundel County?
Anne Arundel County is in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 229-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.5°F, and average winter lows of 31°F. The established crops are hay, soybeans, corn.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $450,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.85%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 99.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center, Inc is 1.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 4 hospitals in the county.

Explore Maryland Resources

Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you

LandWatch

Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.

Browse Land Listings

Lands of America

The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.

Search Rural Properties

AcreTrader

Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.

Explore Farmland Investments

More counties in Maryland

All Maryland counties

Nearby counties

The closest counties to Anne Arundel 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.