Poweshiek County
IA · Pop. 18,582 · Suburban County
Poweshiek County sits in Iowa across 585 square miles, home to 18,582 people at 31.8 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 $184,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.28% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 148-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.7°F and average winter lows of 12.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 36.1 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Grinnell Regional Medical Center is 11.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 88.8% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $184,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Grinnell Regional Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 11.6 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 3.3% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 11.1% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A 148-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Average winter lows of 12.6°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Poweshiek County, IA is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 52/100
- Median home price
- $184k
- Property tax
- 1.28%
- Growing season
- 148 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 36.1"
- Broadband
- 88.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Grinnell Regional Medical Center, 11.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Poweshiek County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Poweshiek County?
- Poweshiek County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 148-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.7°F, and average winter lows of 12.6°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $184,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.28%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 88.8% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Grinnell Regional Medical Center is 11.6 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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