Dare County
NC · Pop. 37,534 · Suburban County
Dare County sits in North Carolina across 383 square miles, home to 37,534 people at 98 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on cucumbers, melons, radishes. The median home price is $425,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.53%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 265-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.2°F and average winter lows of 32.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 50 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. The Outer Banks Hospital, Inc is 24.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.4% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 265-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.53% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 97.4% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Annual rainfall of 50 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
- A low poverty rate of 7.5% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A median home price of $425,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- The nearest hospital, The Outer Banks Hospital, Inc, is 24.5 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Dare County, NC is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 59/100
- Median home price
- $425k
- Property tax
- 0.53%
- Growing season
- 265 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 50"
- Broadband
- 97.4%
- Nearest hospital
- The Outer Banks Hospital, Inc, 24.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Dare County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Dare County?
- Dare County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 265-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.2°F, and average winter lows of 32.4°F. The established crops are cucumbers, melons, radishes.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $425,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.53%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97.4% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- The Outer Banks Hospital, Inc is 24.5 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 Dare 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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