Hampshire County
MA · Pop. 156,595 · Mixed County
Hampshire County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Massachusetts, spanning 527 square miles with 156,595 residents at a density of 297.1 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, potatoes, haylage. A median home price of $363,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.47% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 148-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.2°F and average winter lows of 16.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 46 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. The Cooley Dickinson Hospital Inc is 0.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 99% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- The Cooley Dickinson Hospital Inc, with an emergency room, is just 0.8 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low poverty rate of 10.9% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- 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 148-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.47% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- A median home price of $363,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
At a glance
Hampshire County, MA is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 32/100
- Median home price
- $363k
- Property tax
- 1.47%
- Growing season
- 148 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 46"
- Broadband
- 99%
- Nearest hospital
- The Cooley Dickinson Hospital Inc, 0.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Hampshire County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Hampshire County?
- Hampshire County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 148-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.2°F, and average winter lows of 16.3°F. The established crops are hay, potatoes, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $363,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.47%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- The Cooley Dickinson Hospital Inc is 0.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 4 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 Hampshire 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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