Brown County
KS · Pop. 9,415 · Rural County
Brown County, Kansas covers 571 square miles with a population of 9,415 and a density of 16.5 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. The median home price is $111,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.25%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 178-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.9°F and average winter lows of 17.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 34.2 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Amberwell Hiawatha is 2.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 91.9% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $111,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 91.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Amberwell Hiawatha, with an emergency room, is just 2.8 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on corn, soybeans, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 16.5 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
At a glance
Brown County, KS is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 68/100
- Median home price
- $111k
- Property tax
- 1.25%
- Growing season
- 178 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 34.2"
- Broadband
- 91.9%
- Nearest hospital
- Amberwell Hiawatha, 2.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Brown County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Brown County?
- Brown County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 178-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.9°F, and average winter lows of 17.5°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $111,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.25%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 91.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Amberwell Hiawatha is 2.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals 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 Brown 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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