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Pike County

IL · Pop. 14,625 · Rural County

67/100Homestead Score

Pike County is a rural county in Illinois, spanning 831 square miles with 14,625 residents at a density of 17.6 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. A median home price of $100,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.56% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 184-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.1°F and average winter lows of 20.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 41.5 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Blessing Care Corporation is 4.1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 82% of homes. On the hazard side, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.56%
Growing Season: 184 days
Broadband: 82%
Density: 17.6/sq mi

Pros

  • A median home price of $100,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Blessing Care Corporation, with an emergency room, is just 4.1 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.
  • At 17.6 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.

Cons

  • Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
  • An effective property tax rate of 1.56% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.

At a glance

Pike County, IL is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.

Homestead score
67/100
Median home price
$100k
Property tax
1.56%
Growing season
184 days (zone 6a)
Annual rainfall
41.5"
Broadband
82%
Nearest hospital
Blessing Care Corporation, 4.1 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.56%
Median Household Income$58,029
Poverty Rate15.3%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$100K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone6a
Growing Season184 days
Annual Rainfall41.5 inches
Avg Summer High85.1°F
Avg Winter Low20.6°F
Top CropsCorn, Soybeans, Hay

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought9/10
Wildfire1/10
Tornado4/10
Flood4/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalBlessing Care Corporation (4.1 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage82%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate4.7%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Pike County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Pike County?
Pike County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 184-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.1°F, and average winter lows of 20.6°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $100,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.56%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 82% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
How close is healthcare?
Blessing Care Corporation is 4.1 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

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Nearby counties

The closest counties to Pike 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.