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Augusta County

VA · Pop. 77,713 · Suburban County

51/100Homestead Score

Augusta County, Virginia covers 967 square miles with a population of 77,713 and a density of 80.4 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, corn, haylage. A median home price of $281,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.49% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 179-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.4°F and average winter lows of 25.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 39.1 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Augusta Health is 10 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 85.5% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.49%
Growing Season: 179 days
Broadband: 85.5%
Density: 80.4/sq mi

Pros

  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.49% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • Augusta Health, with an emergency room, is just 10 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A low unemployment rate of 2.8% reflects a stable local job base.
  • A low poverty rate of 7.3% 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.

At a glance

Augusta County, VA is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.

Homestead score
51/100
Median home price
$281k
Property tax
0.49%
Growing season
179 days (zone 7a)
Annual rainfall
39.1"
Broadband
85.5%
Nearest hospital
Augusta Health, 10 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.49%
Median Household Income$79,972
Poverty Rate7.3%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$281K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone7a
Growing Season179 days
Annual Rainfall39.1 inches
Avg Summer High82.4°F
Avg Winter Low25.2°F
Top CropsHay, Corn, Haylage

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought8/10
Wildfire8/10
Tornado4/10
Flood9/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalAugusta Health (10 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage85.5%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate2.8%
Ag EconomyModerate

Homesteading in Augusta County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Augusta County?
Augusta County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 179-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.4°F, and average winter lows of 25.2°F. The established crops are hay, corn, haylage.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $281,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.49%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 85.5% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
How close is healthcare?
Augusta Health is 10 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

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Nearby counties

The closest counties to Augusta 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.