Gallatin County
IL · Pop. 4,857 · Rural County
Gallatin County is a rural county in Illinois, spanning 323 square miles with 4,857 residents at a density of 15 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, corn, wheat. The median home price is $85,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.51%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 189-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.9°F and average winter lows of 27.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 45.3 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Ferrell Hospital Community Foundation is 12.1 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 85.6% of homes. On the hazard side, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 189-day growing season in USDA zone 7a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $85,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- A strong agricultural economy built on soybeans, corn, wheat means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 15 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.51% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- The nearest hospital, Ferrell Hospital Community Foundation, is 12.1 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Gallatin County, IL is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 61/100
- Median home price
- $85k
- Property tax
- 1.51%
- Growing season
- 189 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 45.3"
- Broadband
- 85.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Ferrell Hospital Community Foundation, 12.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Gallatin County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Gallatin County?
- Gallatin County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 189-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.9°F, and average winter lows of 27.4°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $85,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.51%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 85.6% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Ferrell Hospital Community Foundation is 12.1 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Illinois Resources
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LandWatch
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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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