Chowan County
NC · Pop. 13,814 · Suburban County
Chowan County, North Carolina covers 173 square miles with a population of 13,814 and a density of 79.8 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on cotton, soybeans, peanuts. A median home price of $204,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.69% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 238-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.5°F and average winter lows of 35.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 48.1 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Vidant Chowan Hospital is 4.1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99% of homes. On the hazard side, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 238-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.69% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 99% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Vidant Chowan Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 4.1 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.5% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- A poverty rate of 20.5% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
Chowan County, NC is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 94/100
- Median home price
- $204k
- Property tax
- 0.69%
- Growing season
- 238 days (zone 8a)
- Annual rainfall
- 48.1"
- Broadband
- 99%
- Nearest hospital
- Vidant Chowan Hospital, 4.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Chowan County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Chowan County?
- Chowan County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 238-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.5°F, and average winter lows of 35.5°F. The established crops are cotton, soybeans, peanuts.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $204,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.69%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Vidant Chowan Hospital is 4.1 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore North Carolina Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in North Carolina
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The closest counties to Chowan 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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