Harrisonburg city
VA · Pop. 51,492 · Urban County
Harrisonburg city, Virginia covers 17 square miles with a population of 51,492 and a density of 3028.9 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The median home price is $278,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.78%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 166-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.2°F and average winter lows of 22°F. Annual rainfall averages 36.5 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Sentara Rmh Medical Center is 2.4 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.4% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.78% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 97.4% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.8% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- The nearest hospital, Sentara Rmh Medical Center, is 2.4 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- A poverty rate of 25.6% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
- At 3028.9 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Harrisonburg city, VA is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 63/100
- Median home price
- $278k
- Property tax
- 0.78%
- Growing season
- 166 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 36.5"
- Broadband
- 97.4%
- Nearest hospital
- Sentara Rmh Medical Center, 2.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Harrisonburg city: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Harrisonburg city?
- Harrisonburg city is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 166-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.2°F, and average winter lows of 22°F.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $278,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.78%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97.4% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Sentara Rmh Medical Center is 2.4 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Virginia Resources
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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
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The closest counties to Harrisonburg city 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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