Kearny County
KS · Pop. 3,910 · Rural County
Kearny County sits in Kansas across 871 square miles, home to 3,910 people at 4.5 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, hay, sorghum. The median home price is $153,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.22%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 179-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.8°F and average winter lows of 19.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 18.8 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Kearny County Hospital is 4.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 84.9% of homes. On the hazard side, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $153,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Kearny County Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 4.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on wheat, hay, sorghum means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 4.5 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.3% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- Annual rainfall of just 18.8 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- At 4.5 people per square mile, services, labor, and suppliers are spread thin.
At a glance
Kearny County, KS is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 57/100
- Median home price
- $153k
- Property tax
- 1.22%
- Growing season
- 179 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 18.8"
- Broadband
- 84.9%
- Nearest hospital
- Kearny County Hospital, 4.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Kearny County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Kearny County?
- Kearny County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 179-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.8°F, and average winter lows of 19.5°F. The established crops are wheat, hay, sorghum.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $153,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.22%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 84.9% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Kearny County Hospital is 4.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Kansas Resources
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More counties in Kansas
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The closest counties to Kearny 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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