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Jackson County

IN · Pop. 46,319 · Suburban County

80/100Homestead Score

Jackson County sits in Indiana across 510 square miles, home to 46,319 people at 90.8 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on soybeans, corn, hay. A median home price of $175,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.47% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 182-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.7°F and average winter lows of 22.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 47.4 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Schneck Medical Center is 8.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.4% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.47%
Growing Season: 182 days
Broadband: 97.4%
Density: 90.8/sq mi

Pros

  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.47% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • A median home price of $175,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 97.4% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Schneck Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 8.6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A low unemployment rate of 3.2% reflects a stable local job base.

Cons

  • Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
  • Flood risk is high, so low-lying parcels deserve careful evaluation before purchase.

At a glance

Jackson County, IN is a strong overall fit for homesteading.

Homestead score
80/100
Median home price
$175k
Property tax
0.47%
Growing season
182 days (zone 6b)
Annual rainfall
47.4"
Broadband
97.4%
Nearest hospital
Schneck Medical Center, 8.6 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.47%
Median Household Income$70,208
Poverty Rate11.2%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$175K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone6b
Growing Season182 days
Annual Rainfall47.4 inches
Avg Summer High83.7°F
Avg Winter Low22.7°F
Top CropsSoybeans, Corn, Hay

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought6/10
Wildfire1/10
Tornado9/10
Flood6/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalSchneck Medical Center (8.6 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage97.4%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.2%
Ag EconomyModerate

Homesteading in Jackson County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Jackson County?
Jackson County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 182-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.7°F, and average winter lows of 22.7°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, hay.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $175,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.47%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 97.4% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Schneck Medical Center is 8.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

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Nearby counties

The closest counties to Jackson 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.