Gray County
KS · Pop. 5,696 · Rural County
Gray County sits in Kansas across 869 square miles, home to 5,696 people at 6.6 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, corn, sorghum. The median home price is $175,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.41%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 180-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.4°F and average winter lows of 19°F. Annual rainfall averages 22.5 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Minneola District Hospital is 31.8 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.7% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $175,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 99.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A strong agricultural economy built on wheat, corn, sorghum means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 6.6 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.6% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.41% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- The nearest hospital, Minneola District Hospital, is 31.8 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Gray County, KS is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 36/100
- Median home price
- $175k
- Property tax
- 1.41%
- Growing season
- 180 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 22.5"
- Broadband
- 99.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Minneola District Hospital, 31.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Gray County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Gray County?
- Gray County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 180-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.4°F, and average winter lows of 19°F. The established crops are wheat, corn, sorghum.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $175,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.41%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Minneola District Hospital is 31.8 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
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 Gray 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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