Fulton County
IL · Pop. 33,259 · Suburban County
Fulton County sits in Illinois across 866 square miles, home to 33,259 people at 38.4 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 $103,000, with an effective property tax rate of 2.13%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 176-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.8°F and average winter lows of 18.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 40 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Graham Hospital Association is 10.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 88.7% 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 median home price of $103,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Graham Hospital Association, with an emergency room, is just 10.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on corn, soybeans, hay 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 2.13% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
At a glance
Fulton County, IL is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 55/100
- Median home price
- $103k
- Property tax
- 2.13%
- Growing season
- 176 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 40"
- Broadband
- 88.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Graham Hospital Association, 10.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Fulton County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Fulton County?
- Fulton County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 176-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.8°F, and average winter lows of 18.8°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $103,000 and the effective property tax rate is 2.13%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 88.7% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Graham Hospital Association is 10.5 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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