Morton County
KS · Pop. 2,647 · Rural County
Morton County sits in Kansas across 730 square miles, home to 2,647 people at 3.6 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, sorghum, corn. A median home price of $96,000 and an effective property tax rate of 2.04% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 168-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.8°F and average winter lows of 17.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 17.8 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Stevens County Hospital is 25.4 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 91% 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 $96,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 91% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A strong agricultural economy built on wheat, sorghum, corn means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 3.6 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.5% 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.
- Annual rainfall of just 17.8 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- An effective property tax rate of 2.04% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- The nearest hospital, Stevens County Hospital, is 25.4 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Morton County, KS is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 26/100
- Median home price
- $96k
- Property tax
- 2.04%
- Growing season
- 168 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 17.8"
- Broadband
- 91%
- Nearest hospital
- Stevens County Hospital, 25.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Morton County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Morton County?
- Morton County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 168-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.8°F, and average winter lows of 17.6°F. The established crops are wheat, sorghum, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $96,000 and the effective property tax rate is 2.04%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 91% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Stevens County Hospital is 25.4 miles away, without an in-county emergency room; there is 1 hospital 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 Morton 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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