Monroe County
IA · Pop. 7,546 · Rural County
Monroe County is a rural county in Iowa, spanning 434 square miles with 7,546 residents at a density of 17.4 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, soybeans, corn. A median home price of $136,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.52% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 168-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.6°F and average winter lows of 15.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 37.8 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Monroe County Hospital is 3.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 77.9% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $136,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Monroe County Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 3.9 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- At 17.4 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 4% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 9.2% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.52% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- Broadband reaches only 77.9% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
At a glance
Monroe County, IA is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 59/100
- Median home price
- $136k
- Property tax
- 1.52%
- Growing season
- 168 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 37.8"
- Broadband
- 77.9%
- Nearest hospital
- Monroe County Hospital, 3.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Monroe County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Monroe County?
- Monroe County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 168-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.6°F, and average winter lows of 15.8°F. The established crops are hay, soybeans, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $136,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.52%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 77.9% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Monroe County Hospital 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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The closest counties to Monroe 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.
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