Amherst County
VA · Pop. 31,385 · Suburban County
Amherst County, Virginia covers 474 square miles with a population of 31,385 and a density of 66.2 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, corn. The median home price is $197,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.51%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 188-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.7°F and average winter lows of 26.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 43.3 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Virginia Baptist Hospital is 13.3 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, wildfire risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 188-day growing season in USDA zone 7b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.51% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $197,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 97.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.5% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- The nearest hospital, Virginia Baptist Hospital, is 13.3 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
- Wildfire risk is high, so defensible space and fire preparedness should be part of any build plan.
At a glance
Amherst County, VA is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 74/100
- Median home price
- $197k
- Property tax
- 0.51%
- Growing season
- 188 days (zone 7b)
- Annual rainfall
- 43.3"
- Broadband
- 97.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Virginia Baptist Hospital, 13.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Amherst County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Amherst County?
- Amherst County is in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 188-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.7°F, and average winter lows of 26.5°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $197,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.51%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Virginia Baptist Hospital is 13.3 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Virginia Resources
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LandWatch
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Virginia
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The closest counties to Amherst 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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