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Seward County

KS · Pop. 21,640 · Suburban County

27/100Homestead Score

Seward County, Kansas covers 640 square miles with a population of 21,640 and a density of 33.8 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, wheat, sorghum. A median home price of $134,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.68% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 187-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.2°F and average winter lows of 21.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 20.3 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Satanta District Hospital is 19.1 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.8% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.68%
Growing Season: 187 days
Broadband: 98.8%
Density: 33.8/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 187-day growing season in USDA zone 6b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A median home price of $134,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 98.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • A strong agricultural economy built on corn, wheat, sorghum means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
  • A low unemployment rate of 3.2% 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.
  • Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
  • Annual rainfall of just 20.3 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
  • An effective property tax rate of 1.68% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.

At a glance

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

Homestead score
27/100
Median home price
$134k
Property tax
1.68%
Growing season
187 days (zone 6b)
Annual rainfall
20.3"
Broadband
98.8%
Nearest hospital
Satanta District Hospital, 19.1 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.68%
Median Household Income$62,269
Poverty Rate13%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$134K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone6b
Growing Season187 days
Annual Rainfall20.3 inches
Avg Summer High91.2°F
Avg Winter Low21.7°F
Top CropsCorn, Wheat, Sorghum

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought10/10
Wildfire9/10
Tornado7/10
Flood2/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalSatanta District Hospital (19.1 mi)
Emergency RoomNo
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage98.8%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.2%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Seward County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Seward County?
Seward County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 187-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.2°F, and average winter lows of 21.7°F. The established crops are corn, wheat, sorghum.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $134,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.68%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 98.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Satanta District Hospital is 19.1 miles away, without an in-county emergency room; there is 1 hospital 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.