Monroe County
IN · Pop. 139,822 · Mixed County
Monroe County, Indiana covers 395 square miles with a population of 139,822 and a density of 354 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, soybeans, corn. The median home price is $262,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.7%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 190-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.1°F and average winter lows of 22.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 47.4 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. IU Health Bloomington Hospital is 0.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 96.4% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 190-day growing season in USDA zone 6b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.7% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 96.4% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- IU Health Bloomington Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 0.9 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.3% 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 very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A poverty rate of 20.2% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
- At 354 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Monroe County, IN is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 65/100
- Median home price
- $262k
- Property tax
- 0.7%
- Growing season
- 190 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 47.4"
- Broadband
- 96.4%
- Nearest hospital
- IU Health Bloomington Hospital, 0.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Monroe County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Monroe County?
- Monroe County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 190-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.1°F, and average winter lows of 22.6°F. The established crops are hay, soybeans, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $262,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.7%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 96.4% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- IU Health Bloomington Hospital is 0.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 3 hospitals in the county.
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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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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