Jo Daviess County
IL · Pop. 21,918 · Suburban County
Jo Daviess County, Illinois covers 601 square miles with a population of 21,918 and a density of 36.5 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, hay, soybeans. The median home price is $194,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.74%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 149-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.6°F and average winter lows of 12.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 36.7 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Midwest Medical Center is 13.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.9% 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 $194,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 97.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A strong agricultural economy built on corn, hay, soybeans means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.8% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 8% signals a relatively stable local economy.
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.
- A 149-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.74% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- Average winter lows of 12.7°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Jo Daviess County, IL is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 44/100
- Median home price
- $194k
- Property tax
- 1.74%
- Growing season
- 149 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 36.7"
- Broadband
- 97.9%
- Nearest hospital
- Midwest Medical Center, 13.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Jo Daviess County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Jo Daviess County?
- Jo Daviess County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 149-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.6°F, and average winter lows of 12.7°F. The established crops are corn, hay, soybeans.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $194,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.74%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Midwest Medical Center is 13.9 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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