Hanover County
VA · Pop. 111,652 · Mixed County
Hanover County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Virginia, spanning 468 square miles with 111,652 residents at a density of 238.6 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on soybeans, hay, corn. A median home price of $373,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.67% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 199-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.1°F and average winter lows of 28.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 43.4 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Henrico Doctor's Hospital - Parham Doctors' Hospital is 9.1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 95% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 199-day growing season in USDA zone 7b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.67% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 95% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Henrico Doctor's Hospital - Parham Doctors' Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 9.1 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- 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.
- A median home price of $373,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- At 238.6 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Hanover County, VA is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 39/100
- Median home price
- $373k
- Property tax
- 0.67%
- Growing season
- 199 days (zone 7b)
- Annual rainfall
- 43.4"
- Broadband
- 95%
- Nearest hospital
- Henrico Doctor's Hospital - Parham Doctors' Hospital, 9.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Hanover County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Hanover County?
- Hanover County is in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 199-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.1°F, and average winter lows of 28.7°F. The established crops are soybeans, hay, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $373,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.67%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 95% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Henrico Doctor's Hospital - Parham Doctors' Hospital is 9.1 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals 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 Hanover 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.