Chautauqua County
KS · Pop. 3,370 · Rural County
Chautauqua County, Kansas covers 639 square miles with a population of 3,370 and a density of 5.3 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, soybeans, wheat. A median home price of $63,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.6% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 203-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.5°F and average winter lows of 24.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 41.9 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Sedan City Hospital is 3.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 43.5% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 203-day growing season in USDA zone 7a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $63,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Sedan City Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 3.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- At 5.3 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.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.6% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- Broadband reaches only 43.5% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
At a glance
Chautauqua County, KS is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 53/100
- Median home price
- $63k
- Property tax
- 1.6%
- Growing season
- 203 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 41.9"
- Broadband
- 43.5%
- Nearest hospital
- Sedan City Hospital, 3.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Chautauqua County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Chautauqua County?
- Chautauqua County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 203-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.5°F, and average winter lows of 24.2°F. The established crops are hay, soybeans, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $63,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.6%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 43.5% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Sedan City Hospital is 3.4 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 Chautauqua 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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