Douglas County
KS · Pop. 119,547 · Mixed County
Douglas County sits in Kansas across 456 square miles, home to 119,547 people at 262.2 per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, corn, hay. A median home price of $282,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.25% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 187-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.1°F and average winter lows of 20.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 37.8 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. F. W. Huston Medical Center is 29.7 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 96.9% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 187-day growing season in USDA zone 6b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- Broadband reaches 96.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A strong agricultural economy built on soybeans, corn, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.5% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- 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.
- The nearest hospital, F. W. Huston Medical Center, is 29.7 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- At 262.2 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Douglas County, KS is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 7/100
- Median home price
- $282k
- Property tax
- 1.25%
- Growing season
- 187 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 37.8"
- Broadband
- 96.9%
- Nearest hospital
- F. W. Huston Medical Center, 29.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Douglas County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Douglas County?
- Douglas County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 187-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.1°F, and average winter lows of 20.8°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $282,000 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 96.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- F. W. Huston Medical Center is 29.7 miles away, without an in-county 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 Douglas 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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