Washington County
RI · Pop. 130,073 · Mixed County
Washington County sits in Rhode Island across 329 square miles, home to 130,073 people at 395.4 per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, sweet corn, corn. A median home price of $470,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.05% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 151-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.8°F and average winter lows of 21°F. Annual rainfall averages 51.3 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. South County Health is 6.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 95.9% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 95.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- South County Health, with an emergency room, is just 6.8 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.6% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 8% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A 151-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- A median home price of $470,000 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 395.4 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Washington County, RI is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 20/100
- Median home price
- $470k
- Property tax
- 1.05%
- Growing season
- 151 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 51.3"
- Broadband
- 95.9%
- Nearest hospital
- South County Health, 6.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Washington County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Washington County?
- Washington County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 151-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.8°F, and average winter lows of 21°F. The established crops are hay, sweet corn, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $470,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.05%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 95.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- South County Health is 6.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore Rhode Island Resources
Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
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
All Rhode Island countiesNearby counties
The closest counties to Washington 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.
Your brand here — Reach our audience of professional directory owners and boost your sales.