Benton County
WA · Pop. 210,224 · Mixed County
Benton County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Washington, spanning 1,700 square miles with 210,224 residents at a density of 123.7 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, potatoes, corn. The median home price is $369,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.79%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 192-day growing season, average summer highs of 87°F and average winter lows of 28.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 8.9 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Kadlec Regional Medical Center is 11.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, wildfire 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 0.79% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 99.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Kadlec Regional Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 11.8 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on wheat, potatoes, corn means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
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.
- Annual rainfall of just 8.9 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- A median home price of $369,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
At a glance
Benton County, WA is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 22/100
- Median home price
- $369k
- Property tax
- 0.79%
- Growing season
- 192 days (zone 7b)
- Annual rainfall
- 8.9"
- Broadband
- 99.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Kadlec Regional Medical Center, 11.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Benton County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Benton County?
- Benton County is in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 192-day growing season, average summer highs of 87°F, and average winter lows of 28.5°F. The established crops are wheat, potatoes, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $369,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.79%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Kadlec Regional Medical Center is 11.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 4 hospitals in the county.
Explore Washington 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 Washington
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The closest counties to Benton 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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