Winnebago County
IA · Pop. 10,648 · Suburban County
Winnebago County is a suburban county in Iowa, spanning 400 square miles with 10,648 residents at a density of 26.6 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. A median home price of $132,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.36% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 159-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.3°F and average winter lows of 9.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 34 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Hancock County Health System is 19.6 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 100% 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 $132,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A strong agricultural economy built on corn, soybeans, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.5% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 9.8% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A 159-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.36% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- The nearest hospital, Hancock County Health System, is 19.6 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- Average winter lows of 9.3°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Winnebago County, IA is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 55/100
- Median home price
- $132k
- Property tax
- 1.36%
- Growing season
- 159 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 34"
- Broadband
- 100%
- Nearest hospital
- Hancock County Health System, 19.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Winnebago County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Winnebago County?
- Winnebago County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 159-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.3°F, and average winter lows of 9.3°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $132,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.36%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Hancock County Health System is 19.6 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
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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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