Edgar County
IL · Pop. 16,637 · Suburban County
Edgar County sits in Illinois across 623 square miles, home to 16,637 people at 26.7 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, corn, hay. A median home price of $96,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.54% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 184-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.8°F and average winter lows of 20.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 42.4 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Paris Community Hospital is 6.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 90.5% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $96,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 90.5% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Paris Community Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 6.2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on soybeans, corn, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low poverty rate of 11.8% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.54% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
At a glance
Edgar County, IL is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 68/100
- Median home price
- $96k
- Property tax
- 1.54%
- Growing season
- 184 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 42.4"
- Broadband
- 90.5%
- Nearest hospital
- Paris Community Hospital, 6.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Edgar County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Edgar County?
- Edgar County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 184-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.8°F, and average winter lows of 20.7°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $96,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.54%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 90.5% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Paris Community Hospital is 6.2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Illinois Resources
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LandWatch
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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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