Mahaska County
IA · Pop. 22,045 · Suburban County
Mahaska County is a suburban county in Iowa, spanning 571 square miles with 22,045 residents at a density of 38.6 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 $141,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.39% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 165-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.8°F and average winter lows of 13.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 38.2 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Mahaska Health Partnership is 2.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 92% 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 $141,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 92% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Mahaska Health Partnership, with an emergency room, is just 2.2 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 2.8% 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 1.39% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- Average winter lows of 13.9°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Mahaska County, IA is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 63/100
- Median home price
- $141k
- Property tax
- 1.39%
- Growing season
- 165 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 38.2"
- Broadband
- 92%
- Nearest hospital
- Mahaska Health Partnership, 2.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Mahaska County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Mahaska County?
- Mahaska County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 165-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.8°F, and average winter lows of 13.9°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $141,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.39%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 92% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Mahaska Health Partnership is 2.2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
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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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