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Cloud County

KS · Pop. 8,973 · Rural County

68/100Homestead Score

Cloud County is a rural county in Kansas, spanning 715 square miles with 8,973 residents at a density of 12.5 people 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 $96,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.79% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 181-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.1°F and average winter lows of 20.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 27.9 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Cloud County Health Center is 5.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.8% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.79%
Growing Season: 181 days
Broadband: 97.8%
Density: 12.5/sq mi

Pros

  • A median home price of $96,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 97.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Cloud County Health Center, with an emergency room, is just 5.7 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.
  • At 12.5 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.
  • An effective property tax rate of 1.79% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.

At a glance

Cloud County, KS is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.

Homestead score
68/100
Median home price
$96k
Property tax
1.79%
Growing season
181 days (zone 6b)
Annual rainfall
27.9"
Broadband
97.8%
Nearest hospital
Cloud County Health Center, 5.7 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.79%
Median Household Income$57,333
Poverty Rate10.2%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$96K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone6b
Growing Season181 days
Annual Rainfall27.9 inches
Avg Summer High88.1°F
Avg Winter Low20.5°F
Top CropsWheat, Soybeans, Corn

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought4/10
Wildfire7/10
Tornado5/10
Flood3/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalCloud County Health Center (5.7 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage97.8%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.3%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Cloud County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Cloud County?
Cloud County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 181-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.1°F, and average winter lows of 20.5°F. The established crops are wheat, soybeans, corn.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $96,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.79%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 97.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Cloud County Health Center is 5.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

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Nearby counties

The closest counties to Cloud 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.