Cerro Gordo County
IA · Pop. 42,785 · Suburban County
Cerro Gordo County is a suburban county in Iowa, spanning 568 square miles with 42,785 residents at a density of 75.3 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. A median home price of $154,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.5% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 150-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.1°F and average winter lows of 10.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 35 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Mercyone North Iowa Medical Center is 5.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $154,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Mercyone North Iowa Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 5.5 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 3.4% 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.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A 150-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.5% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
At a glance
Cerro Gordo County, IA is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 49/100
- Median home price
- $154k
- Property tax
- 1.5%
- Growing season
- 150 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 35"
- Broadband
- 99.9%
- Nearest hospital
- Mercyone North Iowa Medical Center, 5.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Cerro Gordo County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Cerro Gordo County?
- Cerro Gordo County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 150-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.1°F, and average winter lows of 10.1°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $154,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.5%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Mercyone North Iowa Medical Center is 5.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
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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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