Shawnee County
KS · Pop. 178,315 · Mixed County
Shawnee County sits in Kansas across 544 square miles, home to 178,315 people at 327.8 per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on soybeans, corn, hay. A median home price of $170,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.47% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 186-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.6°F and average winter lows of 21.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 36.5 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Holton Community Hospital is 30.3 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 96.9% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 186-day growing season in USDA zone 6b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $170,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 96.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.8% 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.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.47% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- The nearest hospital, Holton Community Hospital, is 30.3 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Shawnee County, KS is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 10/100
- Median home price
- $170k
- Property tax
- 1.47%
- Growing season
- 186 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 36.5"
- Broadband
- 96.9%
- Nearest hospital
- Holton Community Hospital, 30.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Shawnee County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Shawnee County?
- Shawnee County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 186-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.6°F, and average winter lows of 21.9°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $170,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.47%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 96.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Holton Community Hospital is 30.3 miles away, without an in-county emergency room; there are 6 hospitals in the county.
Explore Kansas Resources
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More counties in Kansas
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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.
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