Warren County
IA · Pop. 53,484 · Suburban County
Warren County sits in Iowa across 570 square miles, home to 53,484 people at 93.8 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, corn, hay. A median home price of $253,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.5% set the cost of entry. 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 14.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 36.3 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Unitypoint Health - Des Moines Iowa Methodist Medical Center is 18.1 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 93.5% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 93.5% 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.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.2% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 5.4% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- 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 1.5% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- The nearest hospital, Unitypoint Health - Des Moines Iowa Methodist Medical Center, is 18.1 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Warren County, IA is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 22/100
- Median home price
- $253k
- Property tax
- 1.5%
- Growing season
- 163 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 36.3"
- Broadband
- 93.5%
- Nearest hospital
- Unitypoint Health - Des Moines Iowa Methodist Medical Center, 18.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Warren County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Warren County?
- Warren 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 14.6°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $253,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.5%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 93.5% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Unitypoint Health - Des Moines Iowa Methodist Medical Center is 18.1 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Iowa Resources
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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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