Isle of Wight County
VA · Pop. 39,444 · Mixed County
Isle of Wight County, Virginia covers 316 square miles with a population of 39,444 and a density of 124.8 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on cotton, soybeans, corn. The median home price is $334,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.72%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 235-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.7°F and average winter lows of 32.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 49.5 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Sentara Obici Hospital is 11.3 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 91.7% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 235-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.72% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 91.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.3% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 7.4% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- The nearest hospital, Sentara Obici Hospital, is 11.3 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- Wildfire risk is high, so defensible space and fire preparedness should be part of any build plan.
At a glance
Isle of Wight County, VA is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 42/100
- Median home price
- $334k
- Property tax
- 0.72%
- Growing season
- 235 days (zone 8a)
- Annual rainfall
- 49.5"
- Broadband
- 91.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Sentara Obici Hospital, 11.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Isle of Wight County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Isle of Wight County?
- Isle of Wight County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 235-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.7°F, and average winter lows of 32.9°F. The established crops are cotton, soybeans, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $334,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.72%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 91.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Sentara Obici Hospital is 11.3 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
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More counties in Virginia
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The closest counties to Isle of Wight 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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