Peoria County
IL · Pop. 179,831 · Mixed County
Peoria County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Illinois, spanning 619 square miles with 179,831 residents at a density of 290.5 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. A median home price of $153,000 and an effective property tax rate of 2.24% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 182-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.9°F and average winter lows of 19.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 38 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Proctor Community Hospital is 9.1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.3% 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 $153,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 97.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Proctor Community Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 9.1 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
- 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 2.24% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- At 290.5 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Peoria County, IL is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 24/100
- Median home price
- $153k
- Property tax
- 2.24%
- Growing season
- 182 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 38"
- Broadband
- 97.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Proctor Community Hospital, 9.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Peoria County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Peoria County?
- Peoria County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 182-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.9°F, and average winter lows of 19.7°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $153,000 and the effective property tax rate is 2.24%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Proctor Community Hospital is 9.1 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 4 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 Peoria 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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