Norton County
KS · Pop. 5,392 · Rural County
Norton County is a rural county in Kansas, spanning 878 square miles with 5,392 residents at a density of 6.1 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, corn, hay. The median home price is $106,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.49%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 162-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.7°F and average winter lows of 16.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 25.8 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Norton County Hospital is 3.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 92.7% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $106,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 92.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Norton County Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 3.8 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on wheat, corn, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 6.1 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 162-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.49% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
At a glance
Norton County, KS is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 64/100
- Median home price
- $106k
- Property tax
- 1.49%
- Growing season
- 162 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 25.8"
- Broadband
- 92.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Norton County Hospital, 3.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Norton County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Norton County?
- Norton County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 162-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.7°F, and average winter lows of 16.1°F. The established crops are wheat, corn, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $106,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.49%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 92.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Norton County Hospital is 3.8 miles away and includes an 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 Norton 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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