Cherokee County
KS · Pop. 19,236 · Suburban County
Cherokee County sits in Kansas across 588 square miles, home to 19,236 people at 32.7 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, soybeans, corn. A median home price of $99,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.23% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 209-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.1°F and average winter lows of 26.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 45.3 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Mercy Hospital Columbus is 0.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 94% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 209-day growing season in USDA zone 7a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $99,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 94% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Mercy Hospital Columbus, with an emergency room, is just 0.3 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on wheat, soybeans, corn means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- Wildfire risk is high, so defensible space and fire preparedness should be part of any build plan.
At a glance
Cherokee County, KS is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 64/100
- Median home price
- $99k
- Property tax
- 1.23%
- Growing season
- 209 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 45.3"
- Broadband
- 94%
- Nearest hospital
- Mercy Hospital Columbus, 0.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Cherokee County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Cherokee County?
- Cherokee County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 209-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.1°F, and average winter lows of 26.1°F. The established crops are wheat, soybeans, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $99,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.23%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 94% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Mercy Hospital Columbus is 0.3 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 Cherokee 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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