Keokuk County
IA · Pop. 9,964 · Rural County
Keokuk County, Iowa covers 579 square miles with a population of 9,964 and a density of 17.2 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 $112,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.33% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 173-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.6°F and average winter lows of 14.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 37 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Keokuk County Health Center is 2.1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 93.6% 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 $112,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 93.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Keokuk County Health Center, with an emergency room, is just 2.1 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 17.2 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.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.33% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- Average winter lows of 14.9°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Keokuk County, IA is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 74/100
- Median home price
- $112k
- Property tax
- 1.33%
- Growing season
- 173 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 37"
- Broadband
- 93.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Keokuk County Health Center, 2.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Keokuk County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Keokuk County?
- Keokuk County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 173-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.6°F, and average winter lows of 14.9°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $112,000 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 93.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Keokuk County Health Center is 2.1 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Iowa Resources
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LandWatch
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Iowa
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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.
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