Jefferson County
KS · Pop. 18,391 · Suburban County
Jefferson County sits in Kansas across 533 square miles, home to 18,391 people at 34.5 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, soybeans, corn. A median home price of $201,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.28% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 176-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.2°F and average winter lows of 19.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 39 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. F. W. Huston Medical Center is 8.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 82.2% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- F. W. Huston Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 8.2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.5% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 6.3% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
At a glance
Jefferson County, KS is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 54/100
- Median home price
- $201k
- Property tax
- 1.28%
- Growing season
- 176 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 39"
- Broadband
- 82.2%
- Nearest hospital
- F. W. Huston Medical Center, 8.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Jefferson County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Jefferson County?
- Jefferson County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 176-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.2°F, and average winter lows of 19.2°F. The established crops are hay, soybeans, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $201,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.28%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 82.2% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- F. W. Huston Medical Center is 8.2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals 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 Jefferson 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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