Iosco County
MI · Pop. 25,333 · Suburban County
Iosco County sits in Michigan across 549 square miles, home to 25,333 people at 46.1 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, corn. The median home price is $123,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.06%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 144-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.1°F and average winter lows of 14.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 31.3 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Ascension St Joseph Hospital is 10 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 78.1% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $123,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Ascension St Joseph Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 10 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A median household income of $47,777 anchors the local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 144-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Broadband reaches only 78.1% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- Average winter lows of 14.9°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Iosco County, MI is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 62/100
- Median home price
- $123k
- Property tax
- 1.06%
- Growing season
- 144 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 31.3"
- Broadband
- 78.1%
- Nearest hospital
- Ascension St Joseph Hospital, 10 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Iosco County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Iosco County?
- Iosco County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 144-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.1°F, and average winter lows of 14.9°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $123,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.06%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 78.1% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Ascension St Joseph Hospital is 10 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
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More counties in Michigan
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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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