Kitsap County
WA · Pop. 276,581 · Urban County
Kitsap County is an urban county in Washington, spanning 395 square miles with 276,581 residents at a density of 700.2 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, lettuce. The median home price is $506,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.8%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 229-day growing season, average summer highs of 74.2°F and average winter lows of 34.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 56.4 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. St. Michael Medical Center is 1.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 65.9% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 229-day growing season in USDA zone 9a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.8% holds annual carrying costs down.
- St. Michael Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 1.7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- Annual rainfall of 56.4 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
- A low poverty rate of 8.3% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A median home price of $506,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- Broadband reaches only 65.9% 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 700.2 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Kitsap County, WA is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 28/100
- Median home price
- $506k
- Property tax
- 0.8%
- Growing season
- 229 days (zone 9a)
- Annual rainfall
- 56.4"
- Broadband
- 65.9%
- Nearest hospital
- St. Michael Medical Center, 1.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Kitsap County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Kitsap County?
- Kitsap County is in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 229-day growing season, average summer highs of 74.2°F, and average winter lows of 34.9°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, lettuce.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $506,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.8%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 65.9% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- St. Michael Medical Center is 1.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 3 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 Kitsap 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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