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McPherson County

KS · Pop. 30,130 · Suburban County

60/100Homestead Score

McPherson County is a suburban county in Kansas, spanning 898 square miles with 30,130 residents at a density of 33.6 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, soybeans, corn. The median home price is $198,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.4%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 182-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.5°F and average winter lows of 20.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 32.8 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Lindsborg Community Hospital is 12.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 96.4% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.4%
Growing Season: 182 days
Broadband: 96.4%
Density: 33.6/sq mi

Pros

  • A median home price of $198,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 96.4% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • A strong agricultural economy built on wheat, soybeans, corn means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
  • A low unemployment rate of 3.1% reflects a stable local job base.
  • A low poverty rate of 9.1% signals a relatively stable local economy.

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 1.4% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.

At a glance

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

Homestead score
60/100
Median home price
$198k
Property tax
1.4%
Growing season
182 days (zone 6b)
Annual rainfall
32.8"
Broadband
96.4%
Nearest hospital
Lindsborg Community Hospital, 12.4 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.4%
Median Household Income$77,701
Poverty Rate9.1%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$198K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone6b
Growing Season182 days
Annual Rainfall32.8 inches
Avg Summer High89.5°F
Avg Winter Low20.3°F
Top CropsWheat, Soybeans, Corn

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought3/10
Wildfire7/10
Tornado8/10
Flood4/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalLindsborg Community Hospital (12.4 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities3

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage96.4%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.1%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in McPherson County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in McPherson County?
McPherson County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 182-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.5°F, and average winter lows of 20.3°F. The established crops are wheat, soybeans, corn.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $198,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.4%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 96.4% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Lindsborg Community Hospital is 12.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 3 hospitals in the county.

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Nearby counties

The closest counties to McPherson 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.