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Fayette County

IA · Pop. 19,393 · Suburban County

65/100Homestead Score

Fayette County, Iowa covers 731 square miles with a population of 19,393 and a density of 26.5 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. The median home price is $131,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.32%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 149-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.3°F and average winter lows of 10.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 37.7 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital and Clinics is 7.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.32%
Growing Season: 149 days
Broadband: 99.3%
Density: 26.5/sq mi

Pros

  • A median home price of $131,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 99.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital and Clinics, with an emergency room, is just 7.4 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 3.8% reflects a stable local job base.

Cons

  • 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.
  • A 149-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
  • An effective property tax rate of 1.32% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
  • Average winter lows of 10.2°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.

At a glance

Fayette County, IA is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.

Homestead score
65/100
Median home price
$131k
Property tax
1.32%
Growing season
149 days (zone 5a)
Annual rainfall
37.7"
Broadband
99.3%
Nearest hospital
Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital and Clinics, 7.4 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.32%
Median Household Income$58,764
Poverty Rate12.5%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$131K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone5a
Growing Season149 days
Annual Rainfall37.7 inches
Avg Summer High80.3°F
Avg Winter Low10.2°F
Top CropsCorn, Soybeans, Hay

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought9/10
Wildfire2/10
Tornado8/10
Flood6/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalGundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital and Clinics (7.4 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities2

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage99.3%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.8%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Fayette County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Fayette County?
Fayette County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 149-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.3°F, and average winter lows of 10.2°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $131,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.32%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 99.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital and Clinics is 7.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.

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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.