Washington County
IA · Pop. 22,539 · Suburban County
Washington County is a suburban county in Iowa, spanning 569 square miles with 22,539 residents at a density of 39.6 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. The median home price is $200,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.35%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 161-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.8°F and average winter lows of 14.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 36.5 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Washington County Hospital and Clinics is 3.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.2% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, 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 $200,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 97.2% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Washington County Hospital and Clinics, with an emergency room, is just 3.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on corn, soybeans, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.7% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A 161-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.35% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- Average winter lows of 14.1°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Washington County, IA is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 61/100
- Median home price
- $200k
- Property tax
- 1.35%
- Growing season
- 161 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 36.5"
- Broadband
- 97.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Washington County Hospital and Clinics, 3.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Washington County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Washington County?
- Washington County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 161-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.8°F, and average winter lows of 14.1°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $200,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.35%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97.2% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Washington County Hospital and Clinics is 3.4 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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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Iowa
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The closest counties to Washington 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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