Dearborn County
IN · Pop. 50,828 · Mixed County
Dearborn County sits in Indiana across 305 square miles, home to 50,828 people at 166.6 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, soybeans, corn. A median home price of $227,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.76% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 166-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.6°F and average winter lows of 21.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 44.9 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. St Elizabeth Dearborn Hospital is 5.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.4% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.76% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 98.4% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- St Elizabeth Dearborn Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 5.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.5% reflects a stable local job base.
- Annual rainfall of 44.9 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
- Flood risk is high, so low-lying parcels deserve careful evaluation before purchase.
At a glance
Dearborn County, IN is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 69/100
- Median home price
- $227k
- Property tax
- 0.76%
- Growing season
- 166 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 44.9"
- Broadband
- 98.4%
- Nearest hospital
- St Elizabeth Dearborn Hospital, 5.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Dearborn County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Dearborn County?
- Dearborn County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 166-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.6°F, and average winter lows of 21.4°F. The established crops are hay, soybeans, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $227,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.76%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.4% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- St Elizabeth Dearborn Hospital is 5.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
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More counties in Indiana
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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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