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Butler County

KS · Pop. 67,916 · Suburban County

27/100Homestead Score

Butler County sits in Kansas across 1,430 square miles, home to 67,916 people at 47.5 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, soybeans, wheat. The median home price is $200,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.46%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 187-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.7°F and average winter lows of 21.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 37.1 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Ascension Via Christi Hospital St. Joseph is 25.9 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 99% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.46%
Growing Season: 187 days
Broadband: 99%
Density: 47.5/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 187-day growing season in USDA zone 6b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A median home price of $200,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 99% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • A strong agricultural economy built on hay, soybeans, wheat means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
  • A low unemployment rate of 3.8% reflects a stable local job base.

Cons

  • Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
  • 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.
  • An effective property tax rate of 1.46% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
  • The nearest hospital, Ascension Via Christi Hospital St. Joseph, is 25.9 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.

At a glance

Butler County, KS is a challenging place to homestead on the data.

Homestead score
27/100
Median home price
$200k
Property tax
1.46%
Growing season
187 days (zone 6b)
Annual rainfall
37.1"
Broadband
99%
Nearest hospital
Ascension Via Christi Hospital St. Joseph, 25.9 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.46%
Median Household Income$80,375
Poverty Rate9%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$200K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone6b
Growing Season187 days
Annual Rainfall37.1 inches
Avg Summer High87.7°F
Avg Winter Low21.8°F
Top CropsHay, Soybeans, Wheat

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought6/10
Wildfire10/10
Tornado10/10
Flood7/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalAscension Via Christi Hospital St. Joseph (25.9 mi)
Emergency RoomNo
Healthcare Facilities2

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage99%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.8%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Butler County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Butler County?
Butler County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 187-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.7°F, and average winter lows of 21.8°F. The established crops are hay, soybeans, wheat.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $200,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.46%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 99% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Ascension Via Christi Hospital St. Joseph is 25.9 miles away, without an in-county emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.

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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.