Ripley County
IN · Pop. 29,039 · Suburban County
Ripley County sits in Indiana across 446 square miles, home to 29,039 people at 65.1 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on soybeans, corn, hay. The median home price is $205,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.58%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 166-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.6°F and average winter lows of 21.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 45.7 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Margaret Mary Health is 14.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 96.1% 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.
- Broadband reaches 96.1% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.4% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 9.6% signals a relatively stable local economy.
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
Ripley County, IN is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 75/100
- Median home price
- $205k
- Property tax
- 0.58%
- Growing season
- 166 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 45.7"
- Broadband
- 96.1%
- Nearest hospital
- Margaret Mary Health, 14.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Ripley County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Ripley County?
- Ripley County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a 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 soybeans, corn, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $205,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.58%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 96.1% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Margaret Mary Health is 14.3 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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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Indiana
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The closest counties to Ripley 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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