Bath County
VA · Pop. 4,123 · Rural County
Bath County sits in Virginia across 529 square miles, home to 4,123 people at 7.8 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, corn. A median home price of $206,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.4% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 163-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.1°F and average winter lows of 22.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 43.5 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Bath County Community Hospital is 7.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 85.7% of homes.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.4% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Bath County Community Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 7.6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- At 7.8 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.7% reflects a stable local job base.
- Annual rainfall of 43.5 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
Cons
- A 163-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- A poverty rate of 21.1% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Bath County, VA is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 96/100
- Median home price
- $206k
- Property tax
- 0.4%
- Growing season
- 163 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 43.5"
- Broadband
- 85.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Bath County Community Hospital, 7.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Bath County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Bath County?
- Bath County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 163-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.1°F, and average winter lows of 22.1°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $206,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.4%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 85.7% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Bath County Community Hospital is 7.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Virginia Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Virginia
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The closest counties to Bath 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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