Norfolk city
VA · Pop. 235,037 · Urban County
Norfolk city sits in Virginia across 53 square miles, home to 235,037 people at 4434.7 per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. A median home price of $272,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.01% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 263-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.1°F and average winter lows of 35.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 44.8 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Bon Secours Depaul Medical Center is 2.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 263-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- Broadband reaches 98% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Bon Secours Depaul Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 2.6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 4% reflects a stable local job base.
- Annual rainfall of 44.8 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- At 4434.7 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Norfolk city, VA is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 69/100
- Median home price
- $272k
- Property tax
- 1.01%
- Growing season
- 263 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 44.8"
- Broadband
- 98%
- Nearest hospital
- Bon Secours Depaul Medical Center, 2.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Norfolk city: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Norfolk city?
- Norfolk city is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 263-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.1°F, and average winter lows of 35.9°F.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $272,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.01%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Bon Secours Depaul Medical Center is 2.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 7 hospitals in the county.
Explore Virginia Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Virginia
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The closest counties to Norfolk 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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