Ellis County
KS · Pop. 28,870 · Suburban County
Ellis County sits in Kansas across 900 square miles, home to 28,870 people at 32.1 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, sorghum, hay. The median home price is $211,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.22%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 170-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.7°F and average winter lows of 18.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 24.3 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Rooks County Health Center is 23 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.7% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 99.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A strong agricultural economy built on wheat, sorghum, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low unemployment rate of 3% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- The nearest hospital, Rooks County Health Center, is 23 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Ellis County, KS is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 36/100
- Median home price
- $211k
- Property tax
- 1.22%
- Growing season
- 170 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 24.3"
- Broadband
- 99.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Rooks County Health Center, 23 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Ellis County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Ellis County?
- Ellis County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 170-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.7°F, and average winter lows of 18.2°F. The established crops are wheat, sorghum, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $211,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.22%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Rooks County Health Center is 23 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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AcreTrader
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More counties in Kansas
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The closest counties to Ellis 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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