Delaware County
IN · Pop. 112,109 · Mixed County
Delaware County sits in Indiana across 392 square miles, home to 112,109 people at 286 per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on soybeans, corn, hay. A median home price of $128,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.78% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 179-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.9°F and average winter lows of 21.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 40.1 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Hospital is 2.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.78% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $128,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 98.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 2.3 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
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.
- A poverty rate of 19.9% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
- At 286 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Delaware County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Delaware County?
- Delaware County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 179-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.9°F, and average winter lows of 21.3°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $128,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.78%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Hospital is 2.3 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 3 hospitals in the county.
Explore Indiana Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
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More counties in Indiana
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The closest counties to Delaware 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.
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