Hampden County
MA · Pop. 462,853 · Urban County
Hampden County sits in Massachusetts across 617 square miles, home to 462,853 people at 750.2 per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, corn. The median home price is $276,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.57%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 156-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.8°F and average winter lows of 17.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 48.4 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Baystate Medical Center is 1.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 99% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Baystate Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 1.9 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A median household income of $70,535 anchors the local economy.
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.
- A 156-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.57% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Hampden County, MA is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 33/100
- Median home price
- $276k
- Property tax
- 1.57%
- Growing season
- 156 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 48.4"
- Broadband
- 99%
- Nearest hospital
- Baystate Medical Center, 1.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Hampden County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Hampden County?
- Hampden County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 156-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.8°F, and average winter lows of 17.1°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $276,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.57%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Baystate Medical Center is 1.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 10 hospitals in the county.
Explore Massachusetts Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
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More counties in Massachusetts
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The closest counties to Hampden 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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