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Kiowa County

KS · Pop. 2,422 · Rural County

57/100Homestead Score

Kiowa County, Kansas covers 723 square miles with a population of 2,422 and a density of 3.3 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, corn, soybeans. A median home price of $152,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.16% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 180-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.3°F and average winter lows of 20.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 25.2 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Kiowa County Memorial Hospital is 3.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 84.7% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.16%
Growing Season: 180 days
Broadband: 84.7%
Density: 3.3/sq mi

Pros

  • A median home price of $152,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Kiowa County Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 3.2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A strong agricultural economy built on wheat, corn, soybeans means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
  • At 3.3 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

  • 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.
  • At 3.3 people per square mile, services, labor, and suppliers are spread thin.

At a glance

Kiowa County, KS is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.

Homestead score
57/100
Median home price
$152k
Property tax
1.16%
Growing season
180 days (zone 6b)
Annual rainfall
25.2"
Broadband
84.7%
Nearest hospital
Kiowa County Memorial Hospital, 3.2 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.16%
Median Household Income$73,214
Poverty Rate5.7%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$152K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone6b
Growing Season180 days
Annual Rainfall25.2 inches
Avg Summer High89.3°F
Avg Winter Low20.1°F
Top CropsWheat, Corn, Soybeans

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought10/10
Wildfire9/10
Tornado4/10
Flood1/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalKiowa County Memorial Hospital (3.2 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage84.7%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.3%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Kiowa County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Kiowa County?
Kiowa County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 180-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.3°F, and average winter lows of 20.1°F. The established crops are wheat, corn, soybeans.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $152,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.16%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 84.7% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
How close is healthcare?
Kiowa County Memorial Hospital is 3.2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

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Nearby counties

The closest counties to Kiowa 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.