Rooks County
KS · Pop. 4,869 · Rural County
Rooks County, Kansas covers 891 square miles with a population of 4,869 and a density of 5.5 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, hay, sorghum. A median home price of $90,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.77% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 167-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.7°F and average winter lows of 18.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 24.4 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Rooks County Health Center is 7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 95.9% 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 $90,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 95.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Rooks County Health Center, with an emergency room, is just 7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on wheat, hay, sorghum 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 1.77% 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
Rooks County, KS is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 58/100
- Median home price
- $90k
- Property tax
- 1.77%
- Growing season
- 167 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 24.4"
- Broadband
- 95.9%
- Nearest hospital
- Rooks County Health Center, 7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Rooks County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Rooks County?
- Rooks County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 167-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.7°F, and average winter lows of 18.5°F. The established crops are wheat, hay, sorghum.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $90,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.77%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 95.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Rooks County Health Center is 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 Rooks 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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