Clinton County
IL · Pop. 36,899 · Suburban County
Clinton County sits in Illinois across 474 square miles, home to 36,899 people at 77.8 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, corn, wheat. The median home price is $181,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.86%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 197-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.4°F and average winter lows of 22.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 43.5 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. St. Joseph's Hospital is 5.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 89.6% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 197-day growing season in USDA zone 6b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $181,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- St. Joseph's Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 5.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on soybeans, corn, wheat means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.3% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.86% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
At a glance
Clinton County, IL is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 51/100
- Median home price
- $181k
- Property tax
- 1.86%
- Growing season
- 197 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 43.5"
- Broadband
- 89.6%
- Nearest hospital
- St. Joseph's Hospital, 5.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Clinton County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Clinton County?
- Clinton County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 197-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.4°F, and average winter lows of 22.5°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $181,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.86%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 89.6% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- St. Joseph's Hospital is 5.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
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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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