Carroll County
IA · Pop. 20,677 · Suburban County
Carroll County is a suburban county in Iowa, spanning 569 square miles with 20,677 residents at a density of 36.3 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. The median home price is $176,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.05%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 157-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.6°F and average winter lows of 12.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 34.3 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. St Anthony Regional Hospital is 1.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.5% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $176,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 97.5% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- St Anthony Regional Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 1.2 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 2.4% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A 157-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Average winter lows of 12.3°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Carroll County, IA is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 67/100
- Median home price
- $176k
- Property tax
- 1.05%
- Growing season
- 157 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 34.3"
- Broadband
- 97.5%
- Nearest hospital
- St Anthony Regional Hospital, 1.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Carroll County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Carroll County?
- Carroll County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 157-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.6°F, and average winter lows of 12.3°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $176,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.05%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97.5% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- St Anthony Regional Hospital is 1.2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore Iowa Resources
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LandWatch
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More counties in Iowa
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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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