Henry County
IA · Pop. 20,228 · Suburban County
Henry County is a suburban county in Iowa, spanning 434 square miles with 20,228 residents at a density of 46.6 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. The median home price is $149,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.61%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 178-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.1°F and average winter lows of 18.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 38.4 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Henry County Health Center Cah is 1.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.4% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $149,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 99.4% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Henry County Health Center Cah, with an emergency room, is just 1.7 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 3.5% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.61% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- Wildfire risk is high, so defensible space and fire preparedness should be part of any build plan.
At a glance
Henry County, IA is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 68/100
- Median home price
- $149k
- Property tax
- 1.61%
- Growing season
- 178 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 38.4"
- Broadband
- 99.4%
- Nearest hospital
- Henry County Health Center Cah, 1.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Henry County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Henry County?
- Henry County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 178-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.1°F, and average winter lows of 18.7°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $149,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.61%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.4% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Henry County Health Center Cah is 1.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
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More counties in Iowa
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The closest counties to Henry 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.
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