Marshall County
IA · Pop. 39,971 · Suburban County
Marshall County sits in Iowa across 573 square miles, home to 39,971 people at 69.8 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. The median home price is $134,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.51%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 156-day growing season, average summer highs of 82°F and average winter lows of 11.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 37.4 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Unitypoint Health Marshalltown is 3.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.6% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $134,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 98.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Unitypoint Health Marshalltown, with an emergency room, is just 3.9 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 poverty rate of 11.1% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A 156-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
At a glance
Marshall County, IA is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 48/100
- Median home price
- $134k
- Property tax
- 1.51%
- Growing season
- 156 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 37.4"
- Broadband
- 98.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Unitypoint Health Marshalltown, 3.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Marshall County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Marshall County?
- Marshall County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 156-day growing season, average summer highs of 82°F, and average winter lows of 11.9°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $134,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.51%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Unitypoint Health Marshalltown is 3.9 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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