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Phillips County

KS · Pop. 4,874 · Rural County

55/100Homestead Score

Phillips County sits in Kansas across 886 square miles, home to 4,874 people at 5.5 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 $95,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.7%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 170-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.4°F and average winter lows of 17.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 25.4 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Phillips County Health Systems is 2.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 93.8% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.7%
Growing Season: 170 days
Broadband: 93.8%
Density: 5.5/sq mi

Pros

  • A median home price of $95,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 93.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Phillips County Health Systems, with an emergency room, is just 2.5 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 5.5 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.
  • An effective property tax rate of 1.7% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
  • Wildfire risk is high, so defensible space and fire preparedness should be part of any build plan.

At a glance

Phillips County, KS is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.

Homestead score
55/100
Median home price
$95k
Property tax
1.7%
Growing season
170 days (zone 6a)
Annual rainfall
25.4"
Broadband
93.8%
Nearest hospital
Phillips County Health Systems, 2.5 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.7%
Median Household Income$61,235
Poverty Rate13.8%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$95K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone6a
Growing Season170 days
Annual Rainfall25.4 inches
Avg Summer High90.4°F
Avg Winter Low17.8°F
Top CropsWheat, Corn, Hay

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought10/10
Wildfire6/10
Tornado6/10
Flood3/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalPhillips County Health Systems (2.5 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage93.8%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.2%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Phillips County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Phillips County?
Phillips County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 170-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.4°F, and average winter lows of 17.8°F. The established crops are wheat, corn, hay.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $95,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.7%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 93.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Phillips County Health Systems is 2.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

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Nearby counties

The closest counties to Phillips 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.