Union County
IA · Pop. 12,038 · Suburban County
Union County sits in Iowa across 424 square miles, home to 12,038 people at 28.4 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on soybeans, corn, hay. The median home price is $118,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.79%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 163-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.6°F and average winter lows of 14°F. Annual rainfall averages 35.5 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Greater Regional Medical Center is 7.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 95.1% 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 $118,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 95.1% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Greater Regional Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 7.8 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.5% 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.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.79% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- Average winter lows of 14°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Union County, IA is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 56/100
- Median home price
- $118k
- Property tax
- 1.79%
- Growing season
- 163 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 35.5"
- Broadband
- 95.1%
- Nearest hospital
- Greater Regional Medical Center, 7.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Union County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Union County?
- Union County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 163-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.6°F, and average winter lows of 14°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $118,000 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 95.1% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Greater Regional Medical Center is 7.8 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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AcreTrader
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More counties in Iowa
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The closest counties to Union County by distance, including across state lines.
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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