Saline County
IL · Pop. 23,387 · Suburban County
Saline County sits in Illinois across 380 square miles, home to 23,387 people at 61.5 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on soybeans, corn, hay. A median home price of $93,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.56% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 183-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.4°F and average winter lows of 25.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 47.5 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Harrisburg Medical Center, Inc is 1.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 95.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $93,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 95.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Harrisburg Medical Center, Inc, with an emergency room, is just 1.9 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- 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
Saline County, IL is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 69/100
- Median home price
- $93k
- Property tax
- 1.56%
- Growing season
- 183 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 47.5"
- Broadband
- 95.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Harrisburg Medical Center, Inc, 1.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Saline County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Saline County?
- Saline County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 183-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.4°F, and average winter lows of 25.5°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $93,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.56%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 95.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Harrisburg Medical Center, Inc is 1.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
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More counties in Illinois
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The closest counties to Saline 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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