Orange County
IN · Pop. 19,746 · Suburban County
Orange County, Indiana covers 398 square miles with a population of 19,746 and a density of 49.6 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on corn, soybeans, hay. A median home price of $144,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.58% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 171-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.6°F and average winter lows of 22°F. Annual rainfall averages 47.7 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Indiana University Health Paoli Hospital is 1.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.5% 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.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.58% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $144,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 98.5% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Indiana University Health Paoli Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 1.6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.7% 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
Orange County, IN is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 92/100
- Median home price
- $144k
- Property tax
- 0.58%
- Growing season
- 171 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 47.7"
- Broadband
- 98.5%
- Nearest hospital
- Indiana University Health Paoli Hospital, 1.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Orange County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Orange County?
- Orange County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 171-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.6°F, and average winter lows of 22°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $144,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.58%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.5% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Indiana University Health Paoli Hospital is 1.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Indiana Resources
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LandWatch
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Indiana
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The closest counties to Orange 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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