Chelan County
WA · Pop. 79,518 · Suburban County
Chelan County, Washington covers 2,921 square miles with a population of 79,518 and a density of 27.2 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, wheat, pumpkins. A median home price of $455,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.71% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 118-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.3°F and average winter lows of 22.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 27.4 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Cascade Medical is 18.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 90.8% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.71% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 90.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A low poverty rate of 9% 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.
- A 118-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- A median home price of $455,000 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 a glance
Chelan County, WA is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 31/100
- Median home price
- $455k
- Property tax
- 0.71%
- Growing season
- 118 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 27.4"
- Broadband
- 90.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Cascade Medical, 18.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Chelan County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Chelan County?
- Chelan County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 118-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.3°F, and average winter lows of 22.1°F. The established crops are hay, wheat, pumpkins.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $455,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.71%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 90.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Cascade Medical is 18.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 4 hospitals in the county.
Explore Washington Resources
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More counties in Washington
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The closest counties to Chelan 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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