Owen County
IN · Pop. 21,434 · Suburban County
Owen County sits in Indiana across 385 square miles, home to 21,434 people at 55.7 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on soybeans, hay, corn. A median home price of $162,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.67% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 173-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.5°F and average winter lows of 21°F. Annual rainfall averages 48.1 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. IU Health Bloomington Hospital is 19.3 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 86.6% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.67% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $162,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.7% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 11.9% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- The nearest hospital, IU Health Bloomington Hospital, is 19.3 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- Flood risk is high, so low-lying parcels deserve careful evaluation before purchase.
At a glance
Owen County, IN is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 67/100
- Median home price
- $162k
- Property tax
- 0.67%
- Growing season
- 173 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 48.1"
- Broadband
- 86.6%
- Nearest hospital
- IU Health Bloomington Hospital, 19.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Owen County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Owen County?
- Owen County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 173-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.5°F, and average winter lows of 21°F. The established crops are soybeans, hay, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $162,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.67%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 86.6% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- IU Health Bloomington Hospital is 19.3 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 Owen 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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