Carroll County
IL · Pop. 15,621 · Suburban County
Carroll County sits in Illinois across 445 square miles, home to 15,621 people at 35.1 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. The median home price is $114,000, with an effective property tax rate of 2.03%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 150-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.9°F and average winter lows of 14.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 39.6 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Morrison Community Hospital is 18.2 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 96.2% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $114,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 96.2% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A strong agricultural economy built on corn, soybeans, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A 150-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 2.03% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- The nearest hospital, Morrison Community Hospital, is 18.2 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- Average winter lows of 14.2°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Carroll County, IL is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 35/100
- Median home price
- $114k
- Property tax
- 2.03%
- Growing season
- 150 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 39.6"
- Broadband
- 96.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Morrison Community Hospital, 18.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Carroll County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Carroll County?
- Carroll County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 150-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.9°F, and average winter lows of 14.2°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $114,000 and the effective property tax rate is 2.03%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 96.2% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Morrison Community Hospital is 18.2 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Illinois 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 Illinois
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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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