Geary County
KS · Pop. 35,895 · Suburban County
Geary County, Kansas covers 385 square miles with a population of 35,895 and a density of 93.2 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, soybeans, corn. The median home price is $165,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.54%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 189-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.7°F and average winter lows of 20.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 32.9 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Memorial Hospital is 24.1 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 95.8% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 189-day growing season in USDA zone 6b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $165,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 95.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.54% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- The nearest hospital, Memorial Hospital, is 24.1 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- A poverty rate of 19.3% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
Geary County, KS is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 30/100
- Median home price
- $165k
- Property tax
- 1.54%
- Growing season
- 189 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 32.9"
- Broadband
- 95.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Memorial Hospital, 24.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Geary County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Geary County?
- Geary County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 189-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.7°F, and average winter lows of 20.4°F. The established crops are hay, soybeans, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $165,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.54%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 95.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Memorial Hospital is 24.1 miles away, without an in-county emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
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More counties in Kansas
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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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