Dubuque County
IA · Pop. 98,948 · Mixed County
Dubuque County sits in Iowa across 608 square miles, home to 98,948 people at 162.7 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, hay, soybeans. A median home price of $226,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.26% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 165-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.1°F and average winter lows of 14.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 36.3 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Finley Hospital is 10.1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 98% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Finley Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 10.1 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on corn, hay, soybeans means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.5% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 9.4% 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.
- Average winter lows of 14.1°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Dubuque County, IA is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 39/100
- Median home price
- $226k
- Property tax
- 1.26%
- Growing season
- 165 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 36.3"
- Broadband
- 98%
- Nearest hospital
- Finley Hospital, 10.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Dubuque County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Dubuque County?
- Dubuque County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 165-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.1°F, and average winter lows of 14.1°F. The established crops are corn, hay, soybeans.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $226,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.26%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Finley Hospital is 10.1 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 3 hospitals 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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