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Guthrie County

IA · Pop. 10,646 · Rural County

64/100Homestead Score

Guthrie County, Iowa covers 591 square miles with a population of 10,646 and a density of 18 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 $164,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.33% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 152-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.1°F and average winter lows of 12.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 36.8 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Guthrie County Hospital is 0.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 90.5% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.33%
Growing Season: 152 days
Broadband: 90.5%
Density: 18/sq mi

Pros

  • A median home price of $164,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 90.5% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Guthrie County Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 0.4 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 18 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.

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 152-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
  • An effective property tax rate of 1.33% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
  • Average winter lows of 12.6°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.

At a glance

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

Homestead score
64/100
Median home price
$164k
Property tax
1.33%
Growing season
152 days (zone 5a)
Annual rainfall
36.8"
Broadband
90.5%
Nearest hospital
Guthrie County Hospital, 0.4 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.33%
Median Household Income$79,981
Poverty Rate9.3%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$164K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone5a
Growing Season152 days
Annual Rainfall36.8 inches
Avg Summer High83.1°F
Avg Winter Low12.6°F
Top CropsCorn, Soybeans, Hay

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought10/10
Wildfire4/10
Tornado7/10
Flood3/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalGuthrie County Hospital (0.4 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage90.5%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.5%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Guthrie County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Guthrie County?
Guthrie County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 152-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.1°F, and average winter lows of 12.6°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $164,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.33%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 90.5% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Guthrie County Hospital is 0.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital 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.