Osborne County
KS · Pop. 3,473 · Rural County
Osborne County sits in Kansas across 893 square miles, home to 3,473 people at 3.9 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, soybeans, hay. A median home price of $85,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.61% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 161-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.3°F and average winter lows of 16.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 27 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Osborne County Memorial Hospital is 7.1 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.
- Osborne County Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 7.1 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on wheat, soybeans, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 3.9 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 1.61% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
At a glance
Osborne County, KS is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 66/100
- Median home price
- $85k
- Property tax
- 1.61%
- Growing season
- 161 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 27"
- Broadband
- 100%
- Nearest hospital
- Osborne County Memorial Hospital, 7.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Osborne County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Osborne County?
- Osborne County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 161-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.3°F, and average winter lows of 16.3°F. The established crops are wheat, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $85,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.61%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Osborne County Memorial Hospital is 7.1 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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AcreTrader
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More counties in Kansas
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The closest counties to Osborne 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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