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Plymouth County

IA · Pop. 25,699 · Suburban County

54/100Homestead Score

Plymouth County, Iowa covers 863 square miles with a population of 25,699 and a density of 29.8 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 $219,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.08%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 153-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.7°F and average winter lows of 10.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 28.2 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Floyd Valley Healthcare is 5.1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.5% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.08%
Growing Season: 153 days
Broadband: 99.5%
Density: 29.8/sq mi

Pros

  • Broadband reaches 99.5% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Floyd Valley Healthcare, with an emergency room, is just 5.1 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.
  • A low unemployment rate of 2.6% reflects a stable local job base.
  • A low poverty rate of 6.8% 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.
  • Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
  • A 153-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
  • Average winter lows of 10.5°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.

At a glance

Plymouth County, IA is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.

Homestead score
54/100
Median home price
$219k
Property tax
1.08%
Growing season
153 days (zone 5a)
Annual rainfall
28.2"
Broadband
99.5%
Nearest hospital
Floyd Valley Healthcare, 5.1 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.08%
Median Household Income$81,600
Poverty Rate6.8%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$219K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone5a
Growing Season153 days
Annual Rainfall28.2 inches
Avg Summer High82.7°F
Avg Winter Low10.5°F
Top CropsCorn, Soybeans, Hay

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought10/10
Wildfire8/10
Tornado8/10
Flood5/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalFloyd Valley Healthcare (5.1 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage99.5%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate2.6%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Plymouth County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Plymouth County?
Plymouth County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 153-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.7°F, and average winter lows of 10.5°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $219,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.08%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 99.5% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Floyd Valley Healthcare is 5.1 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

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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.