Lee County
IL · Pop. 34,058 · Suburban County
Lee County, Illinois covers 725 square miles with a population of 34,058 and a density of 47 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. The median home price is $155,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.92%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 163-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.3°F and average winter lows of 15.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 37.6 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital is 11.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 63.2% 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.
Pros
- A median home price of $155,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 11.4 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.
- A low poverty rate of 11.7% signals a relatively stable local economy.
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.
- A 163-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.92% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
At a glance
Lee County, IL is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 24/100
- Median home price
- $155k
- Property tax
- 1.92%
- Growing season
- 163 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 37.6"
- Broadband
- 63.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital, 11.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Lee County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Lee County?
- Lee County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 163-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.3°F, and average winter lows of 15.2°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 1.92%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 63.2% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital is 11.4 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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