Newport County
RI · Pop. 85,095 · Urban County
Newport County is an urban county in Rhode Island, spanning 102 square miles with 85,095 residents at a density of 834.3 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. The median home price is $560,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.95%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 202-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.3°F and average winter lows of 25.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 46.3 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Newport Hospital is 1.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 92.8% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 202-day growing season in USDA zone 7a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.95% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 92.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Newport Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 1.2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 4% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- A median home price of $560,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
- At 834.3 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Newport County, RI is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 35/100
- Median home price
- $560k
- Property tax
- 0.95%
- Growing season
- 202 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 46.3"
- Broadband
- 92.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Newport Hospital, 1.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Newport County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Newport County?
- Newport County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 202-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.3°F, and average winter lows of 25.9°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $560,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.95%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 92.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Newport Hospital is 1.2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Rhode Island Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in Rhode Island
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The closest counties to Newport 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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