Wayne County
IL · Pop. 15,994 · Rural County
Wayne County is a rural county in Illinois, spanning 714 square miles with 15,994 residents at a density of 22.4 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, corn, wheat. A median home price of $109,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.53% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 183-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.6°F and average winter lows of 23.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 45.9 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Fairfield Memorial Hospital is 4.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 92.8% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $109,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 92.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Fairfield Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 4.7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on soybeans, corn, wheat means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 22.4 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.53% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
At a glance
Wayne County, IL is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 73/100
- Median home price
- $109k
- Property tax
- 1.53%
- Growing season
- 183 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 45.9"
- Broadband
- 92.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Fairfield Memorial Hospital, 4.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Wayne County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Wayne County?
- Wayne County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 183-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.6°F, and average winter lows of 23.8°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $109,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.53%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 92.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Fairfield Memorial Hospital is 4.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Illinois Resources
Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in Illinois
All Illinois countiesNearby counties
The closest counties to Wayne 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.
Your brand here — Reach our audience of professional directory owners and boost your sales.