Mathews County
VA · Pop. 8,517 · Suburban County
Mathews County is a suburban county in Virginia, spanning 86 square miles with 8,517 residents at a density of 99 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on soybeans, hay, hemp. A median home price of $349,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.42% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 237-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.3°F and average winter lows of 30.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 47.9 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Riverside Walter Reed Hospital is 15 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 83.1% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 237-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.42% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.6% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 7.9% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- The nearest hospital, Riverside Walter Reed Hospital, is 15 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
- Wildfire risk is high, so defensible space and fire preparedness should be part of any build plan.
At a glance
Mathews County, VA is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 58/100
- Median home price
- $349k
- Property tax
- 0.42%
- Growing season
- 237 days (zone 8a)
- Annual rainfall
- 47.9"
- Broadband
- 83.1%
- Nearest hospital
- Riverside Walter Reed Hospital, 15 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Mathews County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Mathews County?
- Mathews County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 237-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.3°F, and average winter lows of 30.4°F. The established crops are soybeans, hay, hemp.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $349,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.42%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 83.1% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Riverside Walter Reed Hospital is 15 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Virginia Resources
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LandWatch
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Virginia
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The closest counties to Mathews 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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