Iron County
UT · Pop. 60,201 · Rural County
Iron County is a rural county in Utah, spanning 3,296 square miles with 60,201 residents at a density of 18.3 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, corn, triticale. A median home price of $343,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.42% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 97-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.9°F and average winter lows of 17.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 11.3 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Cedar City Hospital is 19.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 95.9% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.42% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 95.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A strong agricultural economy built on hay, corn, triticale means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 18.3 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.2% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A 97-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 11.3 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
At a glance
Iron County, UT is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 31/100
- Median home price
- $343k
- Property tax
- 0.42%
- Growing season
- 97 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 11.3"
- Broadband
- 95.9%
- Nearest hospital
- Cedar City Hospital, 19.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Iron County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Iron County?
- Iron County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 97-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.9°F, and average winter lows of 17.7°F. The established crops are hay, corn, triticale.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $343,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.42%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 95.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Cedar City Hospital is 19.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Utah 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 Utah
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The closest counties to Iron 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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