Albemarle County
VA · Pop. 113,683 · Mixed County
Albemarle County, Virginia covers 720 square miles with a population of 113,683 and a density of 157.9 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, corn. The median home price is $471,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.74%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 217-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.8°F and average winter lows of 28.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 47.7 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. University of Virginia Medical Center is 3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 88.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 217-day growing season in USDA zone 7b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.74% holds annual carrying costs down.
- University of Virginia Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 3 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.1% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 6.8% signals a relatively stable local economy.
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.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A median home price of $471,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
At a glance
Albemarle County, VA is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 33/100
- Median home price
- $471k
- Property tax
- 0.74%
- Growing season
- 217 days (zone 7b)
- Annual rainfall
- 47.7"
- Broadband
- 88.3%
- Nearest hospital
- University of Virginia Medical Center, 3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Albemarle County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Albemarle County?
- Albemarle County is in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 217-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.8°F, and average winter lows of 28.5°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $471,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.74%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 88.3% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- University of Virginia Medical Center is 3 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 3 hospitals in the county.
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More counties in Virginia
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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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