Boone County
IA · Pop. 26,669 · Suburban County
Boone County is a suburban county in Iowa, spanning 570 square miles with 26,669 residents at a density of 46.8 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. The median home price is $191,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.43%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 160-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.9°F and average winter lows of 12°F. Annual rainfall averages 38.4 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Boone County Hospital is 3.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 93.1% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $191,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 93.1% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Boone County Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 3.4 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 3.1% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A 160-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.43% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- Average winter lows of 12°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Boone County, IA is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 59/100
- Median home price
- $191k
- Property tax
- 1.43%
- Growing season
- 160 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 38.4"
- Broadband
- 93.1%
- Nearest hospital
- Boone County Hospital, 3.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Boone County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Boone County?
- Boone County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 160-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.9°F, and average winter lows of 12°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $191,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.43%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 93.1% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Boone County Hospital is 3.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
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More counties in Iowa
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The closest counties to Boone 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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