Ferry County
WA · Pop. 7,326 · Rural County
Ferry County, Washington covers 2,203 square miles with a population of 7,326 and a density of 3.3 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, melons. A median home price of $275,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.65% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 111-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.8°F and average winter lows of 17.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 16.9 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Ferry County Memorial Hospital is 15.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 17.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.65% holds annual carrying costs down.
- At 3.3 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A median household income of $54,650 anchors the local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 111-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 16.9 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- Broadband reaches only 17.7% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Ferry County, WA is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 29/100
- Median home price
- $275k
- Property tax
- 0.65%
- Growing season
- 111 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 16.9"
- Broadband
- 17.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Ferry County Memorial Hospital, 15.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Ferry County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Ferry County?
- Ferry County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 111-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.8°F, and average winter lows of 17.9°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, melons.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $275,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.65%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 17.7% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Ferry County Memorial Hospital is 15.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
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More counties in Washington
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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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