Orange County
VA · Pop. 37,208 · Mixed County
Orange County sits in Virginia across 341 square miles, home to 37,208 people at 109.1 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, soybeans, corn. A median home price of $337,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.61% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 202-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.6°F and average winter lows of 26.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 43 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Novant Health Uva Health System Culpeper Medical Center is 14.2 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 97% of homes. On the hazard side, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 202-day growing season in USDA zone 7a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.61% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 97% 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 10.1% 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, Novant Health Uva Health System Culpeper Medical Center, is 14.2 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Orange County, VA is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 48/100
- Median home price
- $337k
- Property tax
- 0.61%
- Growing season
- 202 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 43"
- Broadband
- 97%
- Nearest hospital
- Novant Health Uva Health System Culpeper Medical Center, 14.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Orange County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Orange County?
- Orange County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 202-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.6°F, and average winter lows of 26.6°F. The established crops are hay, soybeans, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $337,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.61%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Novant Health Uva Health System Culpeper Medical Center is 14.2 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
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 Orange 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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