Crawford County
IL · Pop. 18,588 · Suburban County
Crawford County sits in Illinois across 444 square miles, home to 18,588 people at 41.9 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, corn, wheat. A median home price of $114,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.56% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 201-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.7°F and average winter lows of 22.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 42.5 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Crawford Memorial Hospital is 1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 83.1% 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 long 201-day growing season in USDA zone 6b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $114,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Crawford Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 1 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 3.9% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.56% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- Flood risk is high, so low-lying parcels deserve careful evaluation before purchase.
At a glance
Crawford County, IL is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 67/100
- Median home price
- $114k
- Property tax
- 1.56%
- Growing season
- 201 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 42.5"
- Broadband
- 83.1%
- Nearest hospital
- Crawford Memorial Hospital, 1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Crawford County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Crawford County?
- Crawford County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 201-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.7°F, and average winter lows of 22.3°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $114,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.56%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 83.1% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Crawford Memorial Hospital is 1 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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