Bourbon County
KS · Pop. 14,384 · Rural County
Bourbon County is a rural county in Kansas, spanning 635 square miles with 14,384 residents at a density of 22.7 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, soybeans, wheat. A median home price of $108,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.67% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 201-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.7°F and average winter lows of 24.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 44.2 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Mercy Hospital Fort Scott is 8.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 87.8% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 201-day growing season in USDA zone 7a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $108,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Mercy Hospital Fort Scott, with an emergency room, is just 8.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on hay, soybeans, wheat means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 22.7 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 1.67% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- Wildfire risk is high, so defensible space and fire preparedness should be part of any build plan.
At a glance
Bourbon County, KS is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 58/100
- Median home price
- $108k
- Property tax
- 1.67%
- Growing season
- 201 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 44.2"
- Broadband
- 87.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Mercy Hospital Fort Scott, 8.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Bourbon County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Bourbon County?
- Bourbon County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 201-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.7°F, and average winter lows of 24.3°F. The established crops are hay, soybeans, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $108,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.67%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 87.8% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Mercy Hospital Fort Scott is 8.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Kansas 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 Kansas
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The closest counties to Bourbon 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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