Benton County
IN · Pop. 8,708 · Rural County
Benton County is a rural county in Indiana, spanning 406 square miles with 8,708 residents at a density of 21.4 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, wheat. A median home price of $135,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.76% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 161-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.9°F and average winter lows of 17.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 38.8 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Hoopeston Community Memorial Hospital is 20.6 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 81.8% of homes.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.76% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $135,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- A strong agricultural economy built on corn, soybeans, wheat means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 21.4 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.2% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- A 161-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- The nearest hospital, Hoopeston Community Memorial Hospital, is 20.6 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Benton County, IN is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 78/100
- Median home price
- $135k
- Property tax
- 0.76%
- Growing season
- 161 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 38.8"
- Broadband
- 81.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Hoopeston Community Memorial Hospital, 20.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Benton County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Benton County?
- Benton County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 161-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.9°F, and average winter lows of 17.2°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $135,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.76%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 81.8% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Hoopeston Community Memorial Hospital is 20.6 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Indiana 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 Indiana
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The closest counties to Benton 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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