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Tazewell County

IL · Pop. 130,555 · Mixed County

30/100Homestead Score

Tazewell County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Illinois, spanning 646 square miles with 130,555 residents at a density of 202.1 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, wheat. The median home price is $165,000, with an effective property tax rate of 2.12%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 182-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.9°F and average winter lows of 19.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 38.5 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Pekin Memorial Hospital is 7.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 96% 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.

Property Tax: 2.12%
Growing Season: 182 days
Broadband: 96%
Density: 202.1/sq mi

Pros

  • A median home price of $165,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 96% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Pekin Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 7.2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A strong agricultural economy built on corn, soybeans, wheat means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
  • A low poverty rate of 8.7% signals a relatively stable local economy.

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 2.12% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
  • At 202.1 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.

At a glance

Tazewell County, IL is a challenging place to homestead on the data.

Homestead score
30/100
Median home price
$165k
Property tax
2.12%
Growing season
182 days (zone 6a)
Annual rainfall
38.5"
Broadband
96%
Nearest hospital
Pekin Memorial Hospital, 7.2 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate2.12%
Median Household Income$76,704
Poverty Rate8.7%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$165K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone6a
Growing Season182 days
Annual Rainfall38.5 inches
Avg Summer High83.9°F
Avg Winter Low19.7°F
Top CropsCorn, Soybeans, Wheat

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought9/10
Wildfire1/10
Tornado10/10
Flood9/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalPekin Memorial Hospital (7.2 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities2

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage96%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate4.5%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Tazewell County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Tazewell County?
Tazewell County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 182-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.9°F, and average winter lows of 19.7°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, wheat.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $165,000 and the effective property tax rate is 2.12%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 96% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Pekin Memorial Hospital is 7.2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 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.