Ringgold County
IA · Pop. 4,664 · Rural County
Ringgold County is a rural county in Iowa, spanning 535 square miles with 4,664 residents at a density of 8.7 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, soybeans, corn. The median home price is $150,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.27%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 163-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.8°F and average winter lows of 14.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 36.1 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Ringgold County Hospital is 1.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 94.2% of homes. On the hazard side, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $150,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 94.2% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Ringgold County Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 1.6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on hay, soybeans, corn means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 8.7 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A 163-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Average winter lows of 14.3°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Ringgold County, IA is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 76/100
- Median home price
- $150k
- Property tax
- 1.27%
- Growing season
- 163 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 36.1"
- Broadband
- 94.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Ringgold County Hospital, 1.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Ringgold County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Ringgold County?
- Ringgold County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 163-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.8°F, and average winter lows of 14.3°F. The established crops are hay, soybeans, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $150,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.27%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 94.2% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Ringgold County Hospital is 1.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
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LandWatch
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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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