Northampton County
PA · Pop. 315,927 · Urban County
Northampton County sits in Pennsylvania across 370 square miles, home to 315,927 people at 853.9 per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on corn, soybeans, hay. The median home price is $285,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.65%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 174-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.9°F and average winter lows of 21.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 45.4 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. St. Luke's Hospital - Easton Campus is 5.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 98.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- St. Luke's Hospital - Easton Campus, with an emergency room, is just 5.7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low poverty rate of 8.8% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.65% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- At 853.9 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Northampton County, PA is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 32/100
- Median home price
- $285k
- Property tax
- 1.65%
- Growing season
- 174 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 45.4"
- Broadband
- 98.7%
- Nearest hospital
- St. Luke's Hospital - Easton Campus, 5.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Northampton County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Northampton County?
- Northampton County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 174-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.9°F, and average winter lows of 21.2°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $285,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.65%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- St. Luke's Hospital - Easton Campus is 5.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 3 hospitals in the county.
Explore Pennsylvania Resources
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LandWatch
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More counties in Pennsylvania
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The closest counties to Northampton 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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