Goochland County
VA · Pop. 25,613 · Suburban County
Goochland County, Virginia covers 282 square miles with a population of 25,613 and a density of 90.8 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, corn, wheat. A median home price of $484,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.5% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 178-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.4°F and average winter lows of 25.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 42.5 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital is 18.8 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 91.8% of homes. On the hazard side, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.5% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 91.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A low unemployment rate of 3% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 3.9% 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 $484,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- The nearest hospital, Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital, is 18.8 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
Goochland County, VA is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 42/100
- Median home price
- $484k
- Property tax
- 0.5%
- Growing season
- 178 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 42.5"
- Broadband
- 91.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital, 18.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Goochland County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Goochland County?
- Goochland County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 178-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.4°F, and average winter lows of 25.3°F. The established crops are hay, corn, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $484,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.5%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 91.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital is 18.8 miles away, without an in-county emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Virginia Resources
Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in Virginia
All Virginia countiesNearby counties
The closest counties to Goochland 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.
Your brand here — Reach our audience of professional directory owners and boost your sales.