Skip to content
Submit

Tippecanoe County

IN · Pop. 187,399 · Mixed County

65/100Homestead Score

Tippecanoe County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Indiana, spanning 499 square miles with 187,399 residents at a density of 375.5 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. The median home price is $218,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.62%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 176-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.7°F and average winter lows of 21.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 36.6 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Franciscan St Elizabeth Health - Lafayette Central is 2.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.6% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.62%
Growing Season: 176 days
Broadband: 99.6%
Density: 375.5/sq mi

Pros

  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.62% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • Broadband reaches 99.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Franciscan St Elizabeth Health - Lafayette Central, with an emergency room, is just 2.7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A strong agricultural economy built on corn, soybeans, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
  • A low unemployment rate of 3.5% 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 19% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
  • At 375.5 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.

At a glance

Tippecanoe County, IN is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.

Homestead score
65/100
Median home price
$218k
Property tax
0.62%
Growing season
176 days (zone 6a)
Annual rainfall
36.6"
Broadband
99.6%
Nearest hospital
Franciscan St Elizabeth Health - Lafayette Central, 2.7 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.62%
Median Household Income$58,622
Poverty Rate19%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$218K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone6a
Growing Season176 days
Annual Rainfall36.6 inches
Avg Summer High83.7°F
Avg Winter Low21.5°F
Top CropsCorn, Soybeans, Hay

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought6/10
Wildfire3/10
Tornado9/10
Flood8/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalFranciscan St Elizabeth Health - Lafayette Central (2.7 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities6

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage99.6%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.5%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Tippecanoe County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Tippecanoe County?
Tippecanoe County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 176-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.7°F, and average winter lows of 21.5°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $218,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.62%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 99.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Franciscan St Elizabeth Health - Lafayette Central is 2.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 6 hospitals in the county.

Explore Indiana Resources

Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you

LandWatch

Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.

Browse Land Listings

Lands of America

The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.

Search Rural Properties

AcreTrader

Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.

Explore Farmland Investments

More counties in Indiana

All Indiana counties

Nearby counties

The closest counties to Tippecanoe 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.