Wapello County
IA · Pop. 35,265 · Suburban County
Wapello County, Iowa covers 432 square miles with a population of 35,265 and a density of 81.6 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on soybeans, corn, hay. A median home price of $113,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.64% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 170-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.5°F and average winter lows of 16.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 37.1 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Ottumwa Regional Health Center is 0.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $113,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 98.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Ottumwa Regional Health Center, with an emergency room, is just 0.7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
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.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.64% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
At a glance
Wapello County, IA is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 49/100
- Median home price
- $113k
- Property tax
- 1.64%
- Growing season
- 170 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 37.1"
- Broadband
- 98.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Ottumwa Regional Health Center, 0.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Wapello County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Wapello County?
- Wapello County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 170-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.5°F, and average winter lows of 16.2°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $113,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.64%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Ottumwa Regional Health Center is 0.7 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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