Washington County
NY · Pop. 60,883 · Suburban County
Washington County is a suburban county in New York, spanning 831 square miles with 60,883 residents at a density of 73.3 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on haylage, hay, corn. A median home price of $185,000 and an effective property tax rate of 2.08% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 136-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.8°F and average winter lows of 11.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 39.1 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Glens Falls Hospital is 10.4 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 94.8% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $185,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 94.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A strong agricultural economy built on haylage, hay, corn means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.5% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 10.8% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A 136-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 2.08% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- The nearest hospital, Glens Falls Hospital, is 10.4 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- Average winter lows of 11.1°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Washington County, NY is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 42/100
- Median home price
- $185k
- Property tax
- 2.08%
- Growing season
- 136 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 39.1"
- Broadband
- 94.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Glens Falls Hospital, 10.4 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 5a with a 136-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.8°F, and average winter lows of 11.1°F. The established crops are haylage, hay, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $185,000 and the effective property tax rate is 2.08%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 94.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Glens Falls Hospital is 10.4 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
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More counties in New York
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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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