Hertford County
NC · Pop. 20,492 · Suburban County
Hertford County sits in North Carolina across 353 square miles, home to 20,492 people at 58.1 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on cotton, soybeans, corn. The median home price is $111,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.97%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 200-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.8°F and average winter lows of 29.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 47.9 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Vidant Roanoke - Chowan Hospital is 5.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 91% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 200-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $111,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 91% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Vidant Roanoke - Chowan Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 5.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A poverty rate of 21.4% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
- Flood risk is high, so low-lying parcels deserve careful evaluation before purchase.
At a glance
Hertford County, NC is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 73/100
- Median home price
- $111k
- Property tax
- 0.97%
- Growing season
- 200 days (zone 8a)
- Annual rainfall
- 47.9"
- Broadband
- 91%
- Nearest hospital
- Vidant Roanoke - Chowan Hospital, 5.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Hertford County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Hertford County?
- Hertford County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 200-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.8°F, and average winter lows of 29.9°F. The established crops are cotton, soybeans, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $111,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.97%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 91% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Vidant Roanoke - Chowan Hospital is 5.4 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 Hertford 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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