Benton County
OR · Pop. 96,359 · Mixed County
Benton County sits in Oregon across 675 square miles, home to 96,359 people at 142.8 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on grasses, hay, haylage. The median home price is $482,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.98%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 201-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.4°F and average winter lows of 32.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 67.3 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center is 11.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 93.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 201-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- Broadband reaches 93.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 11.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- Annual rainfall of 67.3 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
Cons
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A median home price of $482,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- A poverty rate of 19.2% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
Benton County, OR is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 30/100
- Median home price
- $482k
- Property tax
- 0.98%
- Growing season
- 201 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 67.3"
- Broadband
- 93.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, 11.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Benton County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Benton County?
- Benton County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 201-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.4°F, and average winter lows of 32.9°F. The established crops are grasses, hay, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $482,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.98%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 93.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center is 11.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Oregon 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 Oregon
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The closest counties to Benton 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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