McDonough County
IL · Pop. 27,102 · Suburban County
McDonough County, Illinois covers 589 square miles with a population of 27,102 and a density of 46 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. The median home price is $104,000, with an effective property tax rate of 2.16%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 178-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.8°F and average winter lows of 17.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 38.2 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Mcdonough District Hospital is 1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 93.8% 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 $104,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 93.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Mcdonough District Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 1 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
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- An effective property tax rate of 2.16% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- A poverty rate of 19.9% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
McDonough County, IL is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 65/100
- Median home price
- $104k
- Property tax
- 2.16%
- Growing season
- 178 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 38.2"
- Broadband
- 93.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Mcdonough District Hospital, 1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in McDonough County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in McDonough County?
- McDonough County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 178-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.8°F, and average winter lows of 17.8°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $104,000 and the effective property tax rate is 2.16%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 93.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Mcdonough District Hospital is 1 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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