Bureau County
IL · Pop. 33,027 · Suburban County
Bureau County is a suburban county in Illinois, spanning 869 square miles with 33,027 residents at a density of 38 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 $122,000 and an effective property tax rate of 2.07% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 181-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.2°F and average winter lows of 18.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 39.6 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Osf Healthcare System is 4.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 88.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $122,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Osf Healthcare System, with an emergency room, is just 4.4 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.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- An effective property tax rate of 2.07% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
At a glance
Bureau County, IL is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 43/100
- Median home price
- $122k
- Property tax
- 2.07%
- Growing season
- 181 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 39.6"
- Broadband
- 88.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Osf Healthcare System, 4.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Bureau County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Bureau County?
- Bureau County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 181-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.2°F, and average winter lows of 18.4°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $122,000 and the effective property tax rate is 2.07%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 88.7% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Osf Healthcare System is 4.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
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More counties in Illinois
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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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