Patrick County
VA · Pop. 17,606 · Suburban County
Patrick County, Virginia covers 483 square miles with a population of 17,606 and a density of 36.5 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, wheat. A median home price of $147,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.58% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 192-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.5°F and average winter lows of 27.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 50.3 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Lifebrite Community Hospital of Stokes is 17.5 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 43.8% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 192-day growing season in USDA zone 7b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.58% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $147,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.7% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 10.8% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- Broadband reaches only 43.8% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- The nearest hospital, Lifebrite Community Hospital of Stokes, is 17.5 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
Patrick County, VA is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 52/100
- Median home price
- $147k
- Property tax
- 0.58%
- Growing season
- 192 days (zone 7b)
- Annual rainfall
- 50.3"
- Broadband
- 43.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Lifebrite Community Hospital of Stokes, 17.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Patrick County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Patrick County?
- Patrick County is in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 192-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.5°F, and average winter lows of 27.5°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $147,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.58%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 43.8% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Lifebrite Community Hospital of Stokes is 17.5 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Virginia Resources
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LandWatch
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More counties in Virginia
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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.
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