Clarke County
IA · Pop. 9,690 · Rural County
Clarke County is a rural county in Iowa, spanning 431 square miles with 9,690 residents at a density of 22.5 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, corn, soybeans. The median home price is $160,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.46%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 160-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.3°F and average winter lows of 13.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 38 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Clarke County Public Hospital is 0.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 85.4% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $160,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Clarke County Public Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 0.9 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- At 22.5 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.2% 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 1.46% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- Average winter lows of 13.6°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Clarke County, IA is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 62/100
- Median home price
- $160k
- Property tax
- 1.46%
- Growing season
- 160 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 38"
- Broadband
- 85.4%
- Nearest hospital
- Clarke County Public Hospital, 0.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Clarke County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Clarke County?
- Clarke County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 160-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.3°F, and average winter lows of 13.6°F. The established crops are hay, corn, soybeans.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $160,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.46%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 85.4% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Clarke County Public Hospital is 0.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Iowa Resources
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LandWatch
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More counties in Iowa
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The closest counties to Clarke 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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