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Klickitat County

WA · Pop. 23,082 · Rural County

27/100Homestead Score

Klickitat County sits in Washington across 1,872 square miles, home to 23,082 people at 12.3 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, hay, haylage. A median home price of $389,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.62% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 131-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.8°F and average winter lows of 25°F. Annual rainfall averages 17.2 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Klickitat Valley Health is 3.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 49.9% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.62%
Growing Season: 131 days
Broadband: 49.9%
Density: 12.3/sq mi

Pros

  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.62% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • Klickitat Valley Health, with an emergency room, is just 3.8 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A strong agricultural economy built on wheat, hay, haylage means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
  • At 12.3 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.

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 131-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
  • Annual rainfall of just 17.2 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
  • A median home price of $389,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.

At a glance

Klickitat County, WA is a challenging place to homestead on the data.

Homestead score
27/100
Median home price
$389k
Property tax
0.62%
Growing season
131 days (zone 7a)
Annual rainfall
17.2"
Broadband
49.9%
Nearest hospital
Klickitat Valley Health, 3.8 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.62%
Median Household Income$70,400
Poverty Rate13.7%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$389K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone7a
Growing Season131 days
Annual Rainfall17.2 inches
Avg Summer High81.8°F
Avg Winter Low25°F
Top CropsWheat, Hay, Haylage

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought2/10
Wildfire10/10
Tornado1/10
Flood7/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalKlickitat Valley Health (3.8 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities2

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage49.9%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate5.1%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Klickitat County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Klickitat County?
Klickitat County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 131-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.8°F, and average winter lows of 25°F. The established crops are wheat, hay, haylage.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $389,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.62%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 49.9% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
How close is healthcare?
Klickitat Valley Health is 3.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.

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Nearby counties

The closest counties to Klickitat 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.