Washington County
UT · Pop. 189,827 · Suburban County
Washington County, Utah covers 2,428 square miles with a population of 189,827 and a density of 78.2 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, corn, haylage. A median home price of $466,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.45% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 197-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.1°F and average winter lows of 27.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 14.6 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. St George Regional Hospital is 11.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 197-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.45% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 99% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- St George Regional Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 11.9 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.5% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- Annual rainfall of just 14.6 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- A median home price of $466,000 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 a glance
Washington County, UT is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 32/100
- Median home price
- $466k
- Property tax
- 0.45%
- Growing season
- 197 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 14.6"
- Broadband
- 99%
- Nearest hospital
- St George Regional Hospital, 11.9 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 8b with a 197-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.1°F, and average winter lows of 27.9°F. The established crops are hay, corn, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $466,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.45%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- St George Regional Hospital is 11.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore Utah Resources
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LandWatch
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More counties in Utah
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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.
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