Rockingham County
VA · Pop. 84,739 · Suburban County
Rockingham County, Virginia covers 850 square miles with a population of 84,739 and a density of 99.7 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, corn, haylage. The median home price is $288,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.53%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 166-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.2°F and average winter lows of 22°F. Annual rainfall averages 36.5 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Sentara Rmh Medical Center is 7.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 81% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.53% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Sentara Rmh Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 7.3 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.9% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 9.6% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
At a glance
Rockingham County, VA is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 44/100
- Median home price
- $288k
- Property tax
- 0.53%
- Growing season
- 166 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 36.5"
- Broadband
- 81%
- Nearest hospital
- Sentara Rmh Medical Center, 7.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Rockingham County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Rockingham County?
- Rockingham County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 166-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.2°F, and average winter lows of 22°F. The established crops are hay, corn, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $288,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.53%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 81% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Sentara Rmh Medical Center is 7.3 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
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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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