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Iowa County

IA · Pop. 16,547 · Suburban County

61/100Homestead Score

Iowa County, Iowa covers 586 square miles with a population of 16,547 and a density of 28.2 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 $190,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.35%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 160-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.9°F and average winter lows of 13.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 37.4 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Compass Memorial Healthcare is 8.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.2% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.35%
Growing Season: 160 days
Broadband: 97.2%
Density: 28.2/sq mi

Pros

  • A median home price of $190,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 97.2% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Compass Memorial Healthcare, with an emergency room, is just 8.2 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

  • Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
  • Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
  • A 160-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 13.1°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.

At a glance

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

Homestead score
61/100
Median home price
$190k
Property tax
1.35%
Growing season
160 days (zone 5b)
Annual rainfall
37.4"
Broadband
97.2%
Nearest hospital
Compass Memorial Healthcare, 8.2 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.35%
Median Household Income$72,185
Poverty Rate9.2%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$190K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone5b
Growing Season160 days
Annual Rainfall37.4 inches
Avg Summer High81.9°F
Avg Winter Low13.1°F
Top CropsCorn, Soybeans, Hay

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought8/10
Wildfire7/10
Tornado6/10
Flood4/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalCompass Memorial Healthcare (8.2 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage97.2%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.8%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Iowa County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Iowa County?
Iowa County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 160-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.9°F, and average winter lows of 13.1°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $190,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.35%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 97.2% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Compass Memorial Healthcare is 8.2 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.