Johnson County
IL · Pop. 13,350 · Suburban County
Johnson County sits in Illinois across 344 square miles, home to 13,350 people at 38.8 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, soybeans, corn. A median home price of $148,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.32% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 194-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.2°F and average winter lows of 28.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 49.3 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Anna Hospital Corporation is 19.9 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 91.6% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 194-day growing season in USDA zone 7a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $148,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 91.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
Cons
- An effective property tax rate of 1.32% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- The nearest hospital, Anna Hospital Corporation, is 19.9 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Johnson County, IL is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 55/100
- Median home price
- $148k
- Property tax
- 1.32%
- Growing season
- 194 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 49.3"
- Broadband
- 91.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Anna Hospital Corporation, 19.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Johnson County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Johnson County?
- Johnson County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 194-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.2°F, and average winter lows of 28.9°F. The established crops are hay, soybeans, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $148,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.32%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 91.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Anna Hospital Corporation is 19.9 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Illinois Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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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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