Monona County
IA · Pop. 8,619 · Rural County
Monona County sits in Iowa across 694 square miles, home to 8,619 people at 12.4 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 $123,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.15% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 162-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.8°F and average winter lows of 12.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 31.4 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Burgess Health Center is 7.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 84.7% 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.
Pros
- A median home price of $123,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Burgess Health Center, with an emergency room, is just 7.9 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.
- At 12.4 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 3% 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 162-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Average winter lows of 12.9°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Monona County, IA is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 63/100
- Median home price
- $123k
- Property tax
- 1.15%
- Growing season
- 162 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 31.4"
- Broadband
- 84.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Burgess Health Center, 7.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Monona County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Monona County?
- Monona County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 162-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.8°F, and average winter lows of 12.9°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $123,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.15%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 84.7% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Burgess Health Center is 7.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Iowa Resources
Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in Iowa
All Iowa countiesNearby counties
The closest counties to Monona 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.
Your brand here — Reach our audience of professional directory owners and boost your sales.