McLean County
IL · Pop. 170,882 · Mixed County
McLean County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Illinois, spanning 1,183 square miles with 170,882 residents at a density of 144.4 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. The median home price is $198,000, with an effective property tax rate of 2.27%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 163-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.1°F and average winter lows of 17.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 39.3 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. St. Joseph Medical Center is 5.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98% 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 $198,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 98% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- St. Joseph Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 5.9 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 unemployment rate of 3.9% reflects a stable local job base.
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 2.27% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
At a glance
McLean County, IL is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 27/100
- Median home price
- $198k
- Property tax
- 2.27%
- Growing season
- 163 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 39.3"
- Broadband
- 98%
- Nearest hospital
- St. Joseph Medical Center, 5.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in McLean County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in McLean County?
- McLean County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 163-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.1°F, and average winter lows of 17.4°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $198,000 and the effective property tax rate is 2.27%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- St. Joseph Medical Center is 5.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore Illinois Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
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More counties in Illinois
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The closest counties to McLean 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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