Rock Island County
IL · Pop. 142,995 · Mixed County
Rock Island County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Illinois, spanning 427 square miles with 142,995 residents at a density of 334.9 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on corn, soybeans, hay. The median home price is $145,000, with an effective property tax rate of 2.33%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 174-day growing season, average summer highs of 84°F and average winter lows of 17.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 38 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Trinity Medical Center - West is 1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.5% 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 $145,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 98.5% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Trinity Medical Center - West, with an emergency room, is just 1 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
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 2.33% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- At 334.9 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Rock Island County, IL is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 33/100
- Median home price
- $145k
- Property tax
- 2.33%
- Growing season
- 174 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 38"
- Broadband
- 98.5%
- Nearest hospital
- Trinity Medical Center - West, 1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Rock Island County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Rock Island County?
- Rock Island County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 174-day growing season, average summer highs of 84°F, and average winter lows of 17.1°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $145,000 and the effective property tax rate is 2.33%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.5% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Trinity Medical Center - West is 1 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 3 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 Rock Island 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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