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Beaver County

PA · Pop. 166,993 · Mixed County

60/100Homestead Score

Beaver County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Pennsylvania, spanning 435 square miles with 166,993 residents at a density of 383.9 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, corn. A median home price of $186,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.44% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 181-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.5°F and average winter lows of 24.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 37.8 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Heritage Valley Beaver is 2.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.4% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.44%
Growing Season: 181 days
Broadband: 98.4%
Density: 383.9/sq mi

Pros

  • A median home price of $186,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 98.4% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Heritage Valley Beaver, with an emergency room, is just 2.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A low poverty rate of 10.1% signals a relatively stable local economy.

Cons

  • Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
  • An effective property tax rate of 1.44% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
  • The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
  • At 383.9 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.

At a glance

Beaver County, PA is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.

Homestead score
60/100
Median home price
$186k
Property tax
1.44%
Growing season
181 days (zone 6b)
Annual rainfall
37.8"
Broadband
98.4%
Nearest hospital
Heritage Valley Beaver, 2.4 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.44%
Median Household Income$70,156
Poverty Rate10.1%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$186K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone6b
Growing Season181 days
Annual Rainfall37.8 inches
Avg Summer High81.5°F
Avg Winter Low24.4°F
Top CropsHay, Haylage, Corn

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought1/10
Wildfire4/10
Tornado6/10
Flood9/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalHeritage Valley Beaver (2.4 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities2

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage98.4%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate4.5%
Ag EconomyWeak

Homesteading in Beaver County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Beaver County?
Beaver County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 181-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.5°F, and average winter lows of 24.4°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $186,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.44%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 98.4% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Heritage Valley Beaver is 2.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.

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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.