Skip to content

Rush County

KS · Pop. 2,957 · Rural County

69/100Homestead Score

Rush County sits in Kansas across 718 square miles, home to 2,957 people at 4.1 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, sorghum, hay. A median home price of $79,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.9% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 167-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.3°F and average winter lows of 18°F. Annual rainfall averages 25.9 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Rush County Memorial Hospital is 0.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.9%
Growing Season: 167 days
Broadband: 98%
Density: 4.1/sq mi

Pros

  • A median home price of $79,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 98% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Rush County Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 0.6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A strong agricultural economy built on wheat, sorghum, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
  • At 4.1 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.
  • An effective property tax rate of 1.9% 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

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

Homestead score
69/100
Median home price
$79k
Property tax
1.9%
Growing season
167 days (zone 6a)
Annual rainfall
25.9"
Broadband
98%
Nearest hospital
Rush County Memorial Hospital, 0.6 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.9%
Median Household Income$60,288
Poverty Rate11.4%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$79K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone6a
Growing Season167 days
Annual Rainfall25.9 inches
Avg Summer High89.3°F
Avg Winter Low18°F
Top CropsWheat, Sorghum, Hay

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought7/10
Wildfire5/10
Tornado4/10
Flood1/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalRush County Memorial Hospital (0.6 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage98%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.5%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Rush County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Rush County?
Rush County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 167-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.3°F, and average winter lows of 18°F. The established crops are wheat, sorghum, hay.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $79,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.9%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 98% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Rush County Memorial Hospital is 0.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

Explore Kansas Resources

Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you

Nearby counties

The closest counties to Rush 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.