Ottawa County
KS · Pop. 5,782 · Rural County
Ottawa County is a rural county in Kansas, spanning 721 square miles with 5,782 residents at a density of 8 people 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 $164,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.62% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 175-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.3°F and average winter lows of 19.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 31.1 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Ottawa County Health Center is 2.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 90.7% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $164,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 90.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Ottawa County Health Center, with an emergency room, is just 2.7 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 8 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.62% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- At 8 people per square mile, services, labor, and suppliers are spread thin.
At a glance
Ottawa County, KS is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 65/100
- Median home price
- $164k
- Property tax
- 1.62%
- Growing season
- 175 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 31.1"
- Broadband
- 90.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Ottawa County Health Center, 2.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Ottawa County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Ottawa County?
- Ottawa County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 175-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.3°F, and average winter lows of 19.6°F. The established crops are wheat, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $164,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.62%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 90.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Ottawa County Health Center is 2.7 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 Ottawa 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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