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LaSalle County

IL · Pop. 109,049 · Suburban County

34/100Homestead Score

LaSalle County sits in Illinois across 1,135 square miles, home to 109,049 people at 96.1 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. A median home price of $155,000 and an effective property tax rate of 2.15% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 179-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.6°F and average winter lows of 17.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 35.7 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Ottawa Regional Hospital and Healthcare Center is 3.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 94.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 2.15%
Growing Season: 179 days
Broadband: 94.7%
Density: 96.1/sq mi

Pros

  • A median home price of $155,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 94.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Ottawa Regional Hospital and Healthcare Center, with an emergency room, is just 3.3 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.
  • Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
  • Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
  • An effective property tax rate of 2.15% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.

At a glance

LaSalle County, IL is a challenging place to homestead on the data.

Homestead score
34/100
Median home price
$155k
Property tax
2.15%
Growing season
179 days (zone 5b)
Annual rainfall
35.7"
Broadband
94.7%
Nearest hospital
Ottawa Regional Hospital and Healthcare Center, 3.3 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate2.15%
Median Household Income$72,281
Poverty Rate13.5%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$155K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone5b
Growing Season179 days
Annual Rainfall35.7 inches
Avg Summer High82.6°F
Avg Winter Low17.9°F
Top CropsCorn, Soybeans, Hay

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought9/10
Wildfire3/10
Tornado9/10
Flood9/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalOttawa Regional Hospital and Healthcare Center (3.3 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities4

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage94.7%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate5.4%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in LaSalle County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in LaSalle County?
LaSalle County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 179-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.6°F, and average winter lows of 17.9°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $155,000 and the effective property tax rate is 2.15%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 94.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Ottawa Regional Hospital and Healthcare Center is 3.3 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 4 hospitals in the county.

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Nearby counties

The closest counties to LaSalle County by distance, including across state lines.

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.