Ness County
KS · Pop. 2,659 · Rural County
Ness County sits in Kansas across 1,075 square miles, home to 2,659 people at 2.5 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, sorghum, corn. The median home price is $85,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.96%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 161-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.8°F and average winter lows of 16.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 22.3 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Ness County Hospital District Number 2 is 1.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 100% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $85,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Ness County Hospital District Number 2, with an emergency room, is just 1.6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on wheat, sorghum, corn means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 2.5 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A 161-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.96% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
At a glance
Ness County, KS is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 62/100
- Median home price
- $85k
- Property tax
- 1.96%
- Growing season
- 161 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 22.3"
- Broadband
- 100%
- Nearest hospital
- Ness County Hospital District Number 2, 1.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Ness County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Ness County?
- Ness County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 161-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.8°F, and average winter lows of 16.9°F. The established crops are wheat, sorghum, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $85,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.96%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Ness County Hospital District Number 2 is 1.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore Kansas Resources
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LandWatch
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Kansas
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The closest counties to Ness 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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