Effingham County
IL · Pop. 34,505 · Suburban County
Effingham County, Illinois covers 479 square miles with a population of 34,505 and a density of 72 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, corn, wheat. The median home price is $180,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.51%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 195-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.4°F and average winter lows of 25°F. Annual rainfall averages 42.9 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital is 5.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.8% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 195-day growing season in USDA zone 6b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $180,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 99.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 5.8 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.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.51% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
At a glance
Effingham County, IL is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 59/100
- Median home price
- $180k
- Property tax
- 1.51%
- Growing season
- 195 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 42.9"
- Broadband
- 99.8%
- Nearest hospital
- St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital, 5.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Effingham County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Effingham County?
- Effingham County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 195-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.4°F, and average winter lows of 25°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $180,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.51%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital is 5.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
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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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