Franklin County
IA · Pop. 9,977 · Rural County
Franklin County is a rural county in Iowa, spanning 582 square miles with 9,977 residents at a density of 17.1 people 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 $119,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.35% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 161-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.3°F and average winter lows of 10.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 36.5 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Franklin General Hospital is 4.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.6% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $119,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 97.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Franklin General Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 4.4 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.
- At 17.1 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A 161-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.35% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- Average winter lows of 10.9°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Franklin County, IA is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 75/100
- Median home price
- $119k
- Property tax
- 1.35%
- Growing season
- 161 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 36.5"
- Broadband
- 97.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Franklin General Hospital, 4.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Franklin County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Franklin County?
- Franklin County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 161-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.3°F, and average winter lows of 10.9°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $119,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.35%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Franklin General Hospital is 4.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Iowa Resources
Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in Iowa
All Iowa countiesNearby counties
The closest counties to Franklin 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.
Your brand here — Reach our audience of professional directory owners and boost your sales.