Skip to content
Submit

Prince William County

VA · Pop. 484,625 · Urban County

40/100Homestead Score

Prince William County, Virginia covers 335 square miles with a population of 484,625 and a density of 1446.6 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, soybeans, haylage. A median home price of $501,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.98% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 202-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.6°F and average winter lows of 25.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 44.5 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Novant Health Uva Health System Prince William Medical Center is 4.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.4% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.98%
Growing Season: 202 days
Broadband: 99.4%
Density: 1446.6/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 202-day growing season in USDA zone 7a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • Broadband reaches 99.4% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Novant Health Uva Health System Prince William Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 4.6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A low unemployment rate of 3.2% reflects a stable local job base.
  • A low poverty rate of 6.1% signals a relatively stable local economy.

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.
  • A median home price of $501,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
  • The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
  • At 1446.6 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.

At a glance

Prince William County, VA is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.

Homestead score
40/100
Median home price
$501k
Property tax
0.98%
Growing season
202 days (zone 7a)
Annual rainfall
44.5"
Broadband
99.4%
Nearest hospital
Novant Health Uva Health System Prince William Medical Center, 4.6 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.98%
Median Household Income$128,873
Poverty Rate6.1%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$501K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone7a
Growing Season202 days
Annual Rainfall44.5 inches
Avg Summer High86.6°F
Avg Winter Low25.6°F
Top CropsHay, Soybeans, Haylage

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought6/10
Wildfire2/10
Tornado8/10
Flood9/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalNovant Health Uva Health System Prince William Medical Center (4.6 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities2

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage99.4%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.2%
Ag EconomyWeak

Homesteading in Prince William County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Prince William County?
Prince William County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 202-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.6°F, and average winter lows of 25.6°F. The established crops are hay, soybeans, haylage.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $501,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.98%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 99.4% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Novant Health Uva Health System Prince William Medical Center is 4.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.

Explore Virginia Resources

Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you

LandWatch

Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.

Browse Land Listings

Lands of America

The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.

Search Rural Properties

AcreTrader

Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.

Explore Farmland Investments

More counties in Virginia

All Virginia counties

Nearby counties

The closest counties to Prince William 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.