Skamania County
WA · Pop. 12,276 · Rural County
Skamania County is a rural county in Washington, spanning 1,658 square miles with 12,276 residents at a density of 7.4 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on haylage, hay, eggplant. The median home price is $473,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.72%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 150-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.4°F and average winter lows of 28.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 112.7 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital is 30.3 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 14.1% 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 0.72% holds annual carrying costs down.
- At 7.4 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- Annual rainfall of 112.7 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
- A low poverty rate of 8.3% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 150-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- A median home price of $473,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- Broadband reaches only 14.1% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- The nearest hospital, Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital, is 30.3 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Skamania County, WA is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 3/100
- Median home price
- $473k
- Property tax
- 0.72%
- Growing season
- 150 days (zone 8a)
- Annual rainfall
- 112.7"
- Broadband
- 14.1%
- Nearest hospital
- Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital, 30.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Skamania County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Skamania County?
- Skamania County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 150-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.4°F, and average winter lows of 28.4°F. The established crops are haylage, hay, eggplant.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $473,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.72%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 14.1% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital is 30.3 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Washington Resources
Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
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 Skamania 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.
Your brand here — Reach our audience of professional directory owners and boost your sales.