Randolph County
IL · Pop. 30,142 · Suburban County
Randolph County, Illinois covers 575 square miles with a population of 30,142 and a density of 52.4 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, wheat, corn. The median home price is $134,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.4%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 186-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.7°F and average winter lows of 23.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 44.9 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Sparta Community Hospital is 8.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 81.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 186-day growing season in USDA zone 7a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $134,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Sparta Community Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 8.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on soybeans, wheat, corn 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.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.4% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- Flood risk is high, so low-lying parcels deserve careful evaluation before purchase.
At a glance
Randolph County, IL is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 57/100
- Median home price
- $134k
- Property tax
- 1.4%
- Growing season
- 186 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 44.9"
- Broadband
- 81.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Sparta Community Hospital, 8.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Randolph County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Randolph County?
- Randolph County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 186-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.7°F, and average winter lows of 23.8°F. The established crops are soybeans, wheat, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $134,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.4%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 81.3% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Sparta Community Hospital is 8.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 3 hospitals in the county.
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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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