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James City County

VA · Pop. 80,046 · Urban County

35/100Homestead Score

James City County sits in Virginia across 142 square miles, home to 80,046 people at 563.7 per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, pumpkins. A median home price of $419,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.66% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 217-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.5°F and average winter lows of 31.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 48.3 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center is 2.2 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 94.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.66%
Growing Season: 217 days
Broadband: 94.7%
Density: 563.7/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 217-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.66% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • Broadband reaches 94.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • A low unemployment rate of 3.4% reflects a stable local job base.
  • A low poverty rate of 6.5% signals a relatively stable local economy.

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 $419,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
  • The nearest hospital, Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center, is 2.2 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

James City County, VA is a challenging place to homestead on the data.

Homestead score
35/100
Median home price
$419k
Property tax
0.66%
Growing season
217 days (zone 8a)
Annual rainfall
48.3"
Broadband
94.7%
Nearest hospital
Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center, 2.2 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.66%
Median Household Income$107,046
Poverty Rate6.5%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$419K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone8a
Growing Season217 days
Annual Rainfall48.3 inches
Avg Summer High85.5°F
Avg Winter Low31.3°F
Top CropsHay, Haylage, Pumpkins

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought9/10
Wildfire5/10
Tornado6/10
Flood7/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalSentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center (2.2 mi)
Emergency RoomNo
Healthcare Facilities2

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage94.7%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.4%
Ag EconomyWeak

Homesteading in James City County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in James City County?
James City County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 217-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.5°F, and average winter lows of 31.3°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, pumpkins.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $419,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.66%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 94.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center is 2.2 miles away, without an in-county emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.

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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.