Clarke County
VA · Pop. 15,060 · Suburban County
Clarke County is a suburban county in Virginia, spanning 176 square miles with 15,060 residents at a density of 85.6 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, corn. A median home price of $539,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.51% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 195-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.1°F and average winter lows of 24.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 43.5 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Valley Health Winchester Medical Center is 12.1 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 61.5% of homes. On the hazard side, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 195-day growing season in USDA zone 7a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.51% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.1% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 6.9% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A median home price of $539,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- Broadband reaches only 61.5% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- The nearest hospital, Valley Health Winchester Medical Center, is 12.1 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Clarke County, VA is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 32/100
- Median home price
- $539k
- Property tax
- 0.51%
- Growing season
- 195 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 43.5"
- Broadband
- 61.5%
- Nearest hospital
- Valley Health Winchester Medical Center, 12.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Clarke County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Clarke County?
- Clarke County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 195-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.1°F, and average winter lows of 24.6°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $539,000 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 61.5% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Valley Health Winchester Medical Center is 12.1 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
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 Clarke 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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