Montgomery County
IA · Pop. 10,254 · Rural County
Montgomery County, Iowa covers 424 square miles with a population of 10,254 and a density of 24.2 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. The median home price is $110,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.79%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 160-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.9°F and average winter lows of 14.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 36.5 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Montgomery County Memorial Hospital is 3.1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.6% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $110,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 99.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Montgomery County Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 3.1 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 24.2 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A 160-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.79% 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
Montgomery County, IA is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 65/100
- Median home price
- $110k
- Property tax
- 1.79%
- Growing season
- 160 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 36.5"
- Broadband
- 99.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Montgomery County Memorial Hospital, 3.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Montgomery County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Montgomery County?
- Montgomery County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 160-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.9°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 $110,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.79%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Montgomery County Memorial Hospital is 3.1 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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Lands of America
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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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