Delaware County
IA · Pop. 17,549 · Suburban County
Delaware County sits in Iowa across 578 square miles, home to 17,549 people at 30.4 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 $169,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.34% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 149-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.8°F and average winter lows of 11°F. Annual rainfall averages 36.6 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Regional Medical Center is 5.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 93% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $169,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 93% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Regional Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 5.2 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.
Cons
- 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 149-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.34% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- Average winter lows of 11°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Delaware County, IA is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 56/100
- Median home price
- $169k
- Property tax
- 1.34%
- Growing season
- 149 days (zone 4b)
- Annual rainfall
- 36.6"
- Broadband
- 93%
- Nearest hospital
- Regional Medical Center, 5.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Delaware County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Delaware County?
- Delaware County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 149-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.8°F, and average winter lows of 11°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $169,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.34%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 93% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Regional Medical Center is 5.2 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 Delaware 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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