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Sedgwick County

KS · Pop. 524,810 · Urban County

29/100Homestead Score

Sedgwick County is an urban county in Kansas, spanning 997 square miles with 524,810 residents at a density of 526.4 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, soybeans, corn. The median home price is $191,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.23%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 200-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.1°F and average winter lows of 24°F. Annual rainfall averages 32.6 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Ascension Via Christi Hospital St. Joseph is 9.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.23%
Growing Season: 200 days
Broadband: 98.7%
Density: 526.4/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 200-day growing season in USDA zone 7a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A median home price of $191,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 98.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Ascension Via Christi Hospital St. Joseph, with an emergency room, is just 9.3 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A strong agricultural economy built on wheat, soybeans, corn means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.

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.
  • Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
  • Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
  • At 526.4 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.

At a glance

Sedgwick County, KS is a challenging place to homestead on the data.

Homestead score
29/100
Median home price
$191k
Property tax
1.23%
Growing season
200 days (zone 7a)
Annual rainfall
32.6"
Broadband
98.7%
Nearest hospital
Ascension Via Christi Hospital St. Joseph, 9.3 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.23%
Median Household Income$67,675
Poverty Rate14%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$191K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone7a
Growing Season200 days
Annual Rainfall32.6 inches
Avg Summer High90.1°F
Avg Winter Low24°F
Top CropsWheat, Soybeans, Corn

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought7/10
Wildfire10/10
Tornado10/10
Flood10/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalAscension Via Christi Hospital St. Joseph (9.3 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities15

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage98.7%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate4.1%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Sedgwick County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Sedgwick County?
Sedgwick County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 200-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.1°F, and average winter lows of 24°F. The established crops are wheat, soybeans, corn.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $191,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.23%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 98.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Ascension Via Christi Hospital St. Joseph is 9.3 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 15 hospitals in the county.

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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.