Parke County
IN · Pop. 16,346 · Suburban County
Parke County is a suburban county in Indiana, spanning 445 square miles with 16,346 residents at a density of 36.7 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on soybeans, corn, hay. A median home price of $139,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.5% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 173-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.3°F and average winter lows of 21.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 47.8 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Union Hospital Clinton is 13.6 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 79.9% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.5% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $139,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.9% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- Broadband reaches only 79.9% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- The nearest hospital, Union Hospital Clinton, is 13.6 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Parke County, IN is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 73/100
- Median home price
- $139k
- Property tax
- 0.5%
- Growing season
- 173 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 47.8"
- Broadband
- 79.9%
- Nearest hospital
- Union Hospital Clinton, 13.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Parke County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Parke County?
- Parke County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 173-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.3°F, and average winter lows of 21.7°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $139,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.5%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 79.9% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Union Hospital Clinton is 13.6 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Indiana 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 Indiana
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The closest counties to Parke 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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