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Brown County

IN · Pop. 15,543 · Suburban County

77/100Homestead Score

Brown County is a suburban county in Indiana, spanning 312 square miles with 15,543 residents at a density of 49.8 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on soybeans, corn, hay. A median home price of $243,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.47% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 190-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.1°F and average winter lows of 22.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 48.6 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. IU Health Bloomington Hospital is 16.8 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 90.8% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.47%
Growing Season: 190 days
Broadband: 90.8%
Density: 49.8/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 190-day growing season in USDA zone 6b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.47% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • Broadband reaches 90.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • A low unemployment rate of 3.4% reflects a stable local job base.
  • Annual rainfall of 48.6 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.

Cons

  • The nearest hospital, IU Health Bloomington Hospital, is 16.8 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
  • The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.47%
Median Household Income$72,644
Poverty Rate8.6%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$243K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone6b
Growing Season190 days
Annual Rainfall48.6 inches
Avg Summer High84.1°F
Avg Winter Low22.6°F
Top CropsSoybeans, Corn, Hay

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought3/10
Wildfire1/10
Tornado6/10
Flood4/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalIU Health Bloomington Hospital (16.8 mi)
Emergency RoomNo
Healthcare Facilities0

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage90.8%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.4%
Ag EconomyWeak

Homesteading in Brown County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Brown County?
Brown County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 190-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.1°F, and average winter lows of 22.6°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, hay.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $243,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.47%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 90.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
IU Health Bloomington Hospital is 16.8 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.