Westmoreland County
PA · Pop. 353,345 · Mixed County
Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania covers 1,028 square miles with a population of 353,345 and a density of 343.7 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, corn, soybeans. A median home price of $193,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.28% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 156-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.5°F and average winter lows of 21.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 43.2 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Excela Health Latrobe Hospital is 3.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $193,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 98% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Excela Health Latrobe Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 3.9 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- Annual rainfall of 43.2 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
- A low poverty rate of 10% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A 156-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- At 343.7 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Westmoreland County, PA is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 50/100
- Median home price
- $193k
- Property tax
- 1.28%
- Growing season
- 156 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 43.2"
- Broadband
- 98%
- Nearest hospital
- Excela Health Latrobe Hospital, 3.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Westmoreland County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Westmoreland County?
- Westmoreland County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 156-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.5°F, and average winter lows of 21.6°F. The established crops are hay, corn, soybeans.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $193,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.28%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Excela Health Latrobe Hospital is 3.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 6 hospitals in the county.
Explore Pennsylvania Resources
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LandWatch
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Pennsylvania
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The closest counties to Westmoreland 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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