Shelby County
IL · Pop. 20,867 · Suburban County
Shelby County is a suburban county in Illinois, spanning 759 square miles with 20,867 residents at a density of 27.5 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, corn, hay. The median home price is $130,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.5%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 192-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.2°F and average winter lows of 20.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 39.3 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Hshs Good Shepherd Hospital, Inc is 1.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 91.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 192-day growing season in USDA zone 6a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $130,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 91.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Hshs Good Shepherd Hospital, Inc, with an emergency room, is just 1.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on soybeans, corn, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.5% 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
Shelby County, IL is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 69/100
- Median home price
- $130k
- Property tax
- 1.5%
- Growing season
- 192 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 39.3"
- Broadband
- 91.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Hshs Good Shepherd Hospital, Inc, 1.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Shelby County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Shelby County?
- Shelby County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 192-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.2°F, and average winter lows of 20.8°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $130,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.5%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 91.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Hshs Good Shepherd Hospital, Inc is 1.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Illinois Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Illinois
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The closest counties to Shelby 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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