Stark County
IL · Pop. 5,324 · Rural County
Stark County, Illinois covers 288 square miles with a population of 5,324 and a density of 18.5 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 $104,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.64% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 165-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.9°F and average winter lows of 15.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 36 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Osf Saint Luke Medical Center is 11.6 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 93.8% of homes. On the hazard side, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $104,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 93.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A strong agricultural economy built on corn, soybeans, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 18.5 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low poverty rate of 12% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.64% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- The nearest hospital, Osf Saint Luke Medical Center, is 11.6 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Stark County, IL is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 57/100
- Median home price
- $104k
- Property tax
- 1.64%
- Growing season
- 165 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 36"
- Broadband
- 93.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Osf Saint Luke Medical Center, 11.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Stark County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Stark County?
- Stark County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 165-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.9°F, and average winter lows of 15.8°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $104,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.64%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 93.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Osf Saint Luke Medical Center is 11.6 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
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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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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