Jefferson County
IL · Pop. 36,808 · Suburban County
Jefferson County sits in Illinois across 571 square miles, home to 36,808 people at 64.5 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, corn, wheat. A median home price of $118,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.71% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 186-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.9°F and average winter lows of 23°F. Annual rainfall averages 43.4 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Good Samaritan Regional Health Center is 0.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 89.4% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 186-day growing season in USDA zone 6b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $118,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Good Samaritan Regional Health Center, with an emergency room, is just 0.8 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.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.71% 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
Jefferson County, IL is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 62/100
- Median home price
- $118k
- Property tax
- 1.71%
- Growing season
- 186 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 43.4"
- Broadband
- 89.4%
- Nearest hospital
- Good Samaritan Regional Health Center, 0.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Jefferson County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Jefferson County?
- Jefferson County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 186-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.9°F, and average winter lows of 23°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $118,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.71%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 89.4% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Good Samaritan Regional Health Center is 0.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals 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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