Meade County
KS · Pop. 3,949 · Rural County
Meade County is a rural county in Kansas, spanning 978 square miles with 3,949 residents at a density of 4 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, corn, sorghum. A median home price of $122,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.52% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 180-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.5°F and average winter lows of 22.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 22.3 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Meade District Hospital is 3.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 88.7% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $122,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Meade District Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 3.3 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on wheat, corn, sorghum means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 4 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.2% 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.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.52% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
At a glance
Meade County, KS is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 53/100
- Median home price
- $122k
- Property tax
- 1.52%
- Growing season
- 180 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 22.3"
- Broadband
- 88.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Meade District Hospital, 3.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Meade County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Meade County?
- Meade County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 180-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.5°F, and average winter lows of 22.4°F. The established crops are wheat, corn, sorghum.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $122,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.52%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 88.7% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Meade District Hospital is 3.3 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 Meade 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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