Dickinson County
IA · Pop. 17,844 · Suburban County
Dickinson County, Iowa covers 381 square miles with a population of 17,844 and a density of 46.8 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on corn, soybeans, hay. The median home price is $252,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.98%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 146-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.3°F and average winter lows of 8°F. Annual rainfall averages 29.6 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Lakes Regional Healthcare is 4.1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.8% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 99.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Lakes Regional Healthcare, with an emergency room, is just 4.1 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.4% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 6.3% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- A 146-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Average winter lows of 8°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Dickinson County, IA is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 65/100
- Median home price
- $252k
- Property tax
- 0.98%
- Growing season
- 146 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 29.6"
- Broadband
- 99.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Lakes Regional Healthcare, 4.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Dickinson County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Dickinson County?
- Dickinson County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 146-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.3°F, and average winter lows of 8°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $252,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.98%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Lakes Regional Healthcare is 4.1 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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