Taylor County
IA · Pop. 5,901 · Rural County
Taylor County, Iowa covers 532 square miles with a population of 5,901 and a density of 11.1 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, corn, hay. The median home price is $110,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.21%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 163-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.6°F and average winter lows of 14.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 37.2 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. CHI Health - Mercy Corning is 17.6 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 93.1% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is 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 93.1% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A strong agricultural economy built on soybeans, corn, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 11.1 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.4% reflects a stable local job base.
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.
- The nearest hospital, CHI Health - Mercy Corning, is 17.6 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- Average winter lows of 14.3°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Taylor County, IA is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 56/100
- Median home price
- $110k
- Property tax
- 1.21%
- Growing season
- 163 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 37.2"
- Broadband
- 93.1%
- Nearest hospital
- CHI Health - Mercy Corning, 17.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Taylor County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Taylor County?
- Taylor County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 163-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.6°F, and average winter lows of 14.3°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $110,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.21%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 93.1% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- CHI Health - Mercy Corning is 17.6 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
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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