Davis County
IA · Pop. 9,127 · Rural County
Davis County is a rural county in Iowa, spanning 502 square miles with 9,127 residents at a density of 18.2 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 $146,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.52%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 175-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.5°F and average winter lows of 16.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 39.4 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Davis County Hospital is 0.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.5% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $146,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 99.5% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Davis County Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 0.8 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- At 18.2 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.3% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- 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 1.52% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
At a glance
Davis County, IA is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 65/100
- Median home price
- $146k
- Property tax
- 1.52%
- Growing season
- 175 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 39.4"
- Broadband
- 99.5%
- Nearest hospital
- Davis County Hospital, 0.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Davis County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Davis County?
- Davis County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 175-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.5°F, and average winter lows of 16.7°F. The established crops are hay, corn, soybeans.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $146,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.52%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.5% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Davis County Hospital is 0.8 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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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Iowa
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The closest counties to Davis 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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