Winneshiek County
IA · Pop. 19,972 · Suburban County
Winneshiek County, Iowa covers 690 square miles with a population of 19,972 and a density of 28.9 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 $239,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.16% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 149-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.4°F and average winter lows of 11.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 34.7 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Winneshiek Medical Center is 3.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 95.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 95.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Winneshiek Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 3.8 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 3.2% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 7.9% 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 149-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Average winter lows of 11.7°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Winneshiek County, IA is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 63/100
- Median home price
- $239k
- Property tax
- 1.16%
- Growing season
- 149 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 34.7"
- Broadband
- 95.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Winneshiek Medical Center, 3.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Winneshiek County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Winneshiek County?
- Winneshiek County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 149-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.4°F, and average winter lows of 11.7°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $239,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.16%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 95.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Winneshiek Medical Center is 3.8 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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