Island County
WA · Pop. 86,747 · Mixed County
Island County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Washington, spanning 208 square miles with 86,747 residents at a density of 417.1 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, barley. A median home price of $535,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.7% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 233-day growing season, average summer highs of 71.4°F and average winter lows of 36.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 21.5 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Whidbey Health is 3.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 66.8% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 233-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.7% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Whidbey Health, with an emergency room, is just 3.9 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low poverty rate of 7% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Annual rainfall of just 21.5 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- A median home price of $535,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- Broadband reaches only 66.8% 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 417.1 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Island County, WA is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 28/100
- Median home price
- $535k
- Property tax
- 0.7%
- Growing season
- 233 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 21.5"
- Broadband
- 66.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Whidbey Health, 3.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Island County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Island County?
- Island County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 233-day growing season, average summer highs of 71.4°F, and average winter lows of 36.1°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, barley.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $535,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.7%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 66.8% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Whidbey Health is 3.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Washington Resources
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LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in Washington
All Washington countiesNearby counties
The closest counties to Island 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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