Southampton County
VA · Pop. 17,988 · Suburban County
Southampton County is a suburban county in Virginia, spanning 599 square miles with 17,988 residents at a density of 30 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on cotton, soybeans, wheat. A median home price of $209,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.66% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 200-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.8°F and average winter lows of 29.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 47.9 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Bon Secours Southampton Memorial Hospital is 9.4 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 90.4% of homes. On the hazard side, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 200-day growing season in USDA zone 7b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.66% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 90.4% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.5% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 8.7% 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, Bon Secours Southampton Memorial Hospital, is 9.4 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Southampton County, VA is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 72/100
- Median home price
- $209k
- Property tax
- 0.66%
- Growing season
- 200 days (zone 7b)
- Annual rainfall
- 47.9"
- Broadband
- 90.4%
- Nearest hospital
- Bon Secours Southampton Memorial Hospital, 9.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Southampton County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Southampton County?
- Southampton County is in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 200-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.8°F, and average winter lows of 29.9°F. The established crops are cotton, soybeans, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $209,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.66%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 90.4% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Bon Secours Southampton Memorial Hospital is 9.4 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Virginia Resources
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LandWatch
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Virginia
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The closest counties to Southampton 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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