Crawford County
IA · Pop. 16,289 · Rural County
Crawford County, Iowa covers 714 square miles with a population of 16,289 and a density of 22.8 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. A median home price of $136,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.32% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 169-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.3°F and average winter lows of 14.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 32.3 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Crawford County Memorial Hospital is 1.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 87.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $136,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Crawford County Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 1.4 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.
- At 22.8 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
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.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.32% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- Average winter lows of 14.1°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Crawford County, IA is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 58/100
- Median home price
- $136k
- Property tax
- 1.32%
- Growing season
- 169 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 32.3"
- Broadband
- 87.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Crawford County Memorial Hospital, 1.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Crawford County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Crawford County?
- Crawford County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 169-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.3°F, and average winter lows of 14.1°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $136,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.32%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 87.3% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Crawford County Memorial Hospital is 1.4 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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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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