Dallas County
IA · Pop. 104,136 · Mixed County
Dallas County sits in Iowa across 588 square miles, home to 104,136 people at 177.1 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. The median home price is $333,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.45%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 161-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.9°F and average winter lows of 12.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 34.2 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Dallas County Hospital is 10.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.5% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 97.5% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Dallas County Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 10.6 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 3.1% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 5.8% signals a relatively stable local economy.
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 161-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.45% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
At a glance
Dallas County, IA is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 19/100
- Median home price
- $333k
- Property tax
- 1.45%
- Growing season
- 161 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 34.2"
- Broadband
- 97.5%
- Nearest hospital
- Dallas County Hospital, 10.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Dallas County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Dallas County?
- Dallas County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 161-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.9°F, and average winter lows of 12.9°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $333,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.45%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97.5% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Dallas County Hospital is 10.6 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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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Iowa
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The closest counties to Dallas 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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