Cedar County
IA · Pop. 18,427 · Suburban County
Cedar County sits in Iowa across 579 square miles, home to 18,427 people at 31.8 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 $200,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.22%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 168-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.4°F and average winter lows of 14.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 35.4 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Mercy Hospital Ic is 21.7 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.2% 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 $200,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 98.2% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A strong agricultural economy built on corn, soybeans, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.3% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 7.2% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- The nearest hospital, Mercy Hospital Ic, is 21.7 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- Average winter lows of 14.8°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Cedar County, IA is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 50/100
- Median home price
- $200k
- Property tax
- 1.22%
- Growing season
- 168 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 35.4"
- Broadband
- 98.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Mercy Hospital Ic, 21.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Cedar County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Cedar County?
- Cedar County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 168-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.4°F, and average winter lows of 14.8°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $200,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.22%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.2% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Mercy Hospital Ic is 21.7 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Iowa Resources
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LandWatch
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Iowa
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The closest counties to Cedar 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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