Marshall County
IL · Pop. 11,715 · Suburban County
Marshall County sits in Illinois across 387 square miles, home to 11,715 people at 30.3 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. The median home price is $138,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.99%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 176-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.6°F and average winter lows of 20.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 37.8 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Carle Eureka Hospital is 21.7 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 89.2% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $138,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- 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
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.99% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- The nearest hospital, Carle Eureka Hospital, is 21.7 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Marshall County, IL is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 34/100
- Median home price
- $138k
- Property tax
- 1.99%
- Growing season
- 176 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 37.8"
- Broadband
- 89.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Carle Eureka Hospital, 21.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Marshall County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Marshall County?
- Marshall County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 176-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.6°F, and average winter lows of 20.8°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $138,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.99%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 89.2% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Carle Eureka Hospital is 21.7 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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The closest counties to Marshall 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.
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