Pike County
IL · Pop. 14,625 · Rural County
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.
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
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
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.
Explore Illinois Resources
Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in Illinois
All Illinois countiesNearby 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.