Saline County
KS · Pop. 53,801 · Suburban County
Saline County, Kansas covers 720 square miles with a population of 53,801 and a density of 74.7 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, soybeans, hay. The median home price is $172,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.33%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 192-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.4°F and average winter lows of 22.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 31.5 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Lindsborg Community Hospital is 15.2 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.5% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 192-day growing season in USDA zone 6b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $172,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 98.5% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A strong agricultural economy built on wheat, soybeans, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.3% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.33% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- The nearest hospital, Lindsborg Community Hospital, is 15.2 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Saline County, KS is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 38/100
- Median home price
- $172k
- Property tax
- 1.33%
- Growing season
- 192 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 31.5"
- Broadband
- 98.5%
- Nearest hospital
- Lindsborg Community Hospital, 15.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Saline County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Saline County?
- Saline County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 192-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.4°F, and average winter lows of 22.5°F. The established crops are wheat, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $172,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.33%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.5% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Lindsborg Community Hospital is 15.2 miles away, without an in-county emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore Kansas Resources
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More counties in Kansas
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The closest counties to Saline 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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