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Chesterfield County

VA · Pop. 371,610 · Urban County

47/100Homestead Score

Chesterfield County sits in Virginia across 424 square miles, home to 371,610 people at 876.4 per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, soybeans, haylage. A median home price of $337,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.78% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 213-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.1°F and average winter lows of 28.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 44.6 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Bon Secours St. Francis Medical Center is 7.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.78%
Growing Season: 213 days
Broadband: 99%
Density: 876.4/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 213-day growing season in USDA zone 7b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.78% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • Broadband reaches 99% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Bon Secours St. Francis Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 7.3 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A low unemployment rate of 3.2% reflects a stable local job base.

Cons

  • Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
  • Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
  • The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
  • At 876.4 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.

At a glance

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

Homestead score
47/100
Median home price
$337k
Property tax
0.78%
Growing season
213 days (zone 7b)
Annual rainfall
44.6"
Broadband
99%
Nearest hospital
Bon Secours St. Francis Medical Center, 7.3 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.78%
Median Household Income$98,910
Poverty Rate6.8%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$337K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone7b
Growing Season213 days
Annual Rainfall44.6 inches
Avg Summer High88.1°F
Avg Winter Low28.6°F
Top CropsHay, Soybeans, Haylage

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought6/10
Wildfire5/10
Tornado8/10
Flood9/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalBon Secours St. Francis Medical Center (7.3 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities4

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage99%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.2%
Ag EconomyWeak

Homesteading in Chesterfield County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Chesterfield County?
Chesterfield County is in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 213-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.1°F, and average winter lows of 28.6°F. The established crops are hay, soybeans, haylage.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $337,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.78%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 99% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Bon Secours St. Francis Medical Center is 7.3 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 4 hospitals in the county.

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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.