Washington County
VT · Pop. 59,958 · Suburban County
Washington County is a suburban county in Vermont, spanning 687 square miles with 59,958 residents at a density of 87.3 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on haylage, hay, corn. The median home price is $294,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.87%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 135-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.8°F and average winter lows of 7.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 42.4 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Central Vermont Medical Center is 4.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 90% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 90% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Central Vermont Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 4.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.6% reflects a stable local job base.
- Annual rainfall of 42.4 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
- A low poverty rate of 9.4% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A 135-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.87% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- Average winter lows of 7.3°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Washington County, VT is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 46/100
- Median home price
- $294k
- Property tax
- 1.87%
- Growing season
- 135 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 42.4"
- Broadband
- 90%
- Nearest hospital
- Central Vermont Medical Center, 4.5 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 5a with a 135-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.8°F, and average winter lows of 7.3°F. The established crops are haylage, hay, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $294,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.87%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 90% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Central Vermont Medical Center is 4.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore Vermont Resources
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More counties in Vermont
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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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