Smith County
KS · Pop. 3,579 · Rural County
Smith County sits in Kansas across 895 square miles, home to 3,579 people at 4 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, corn, soybeans. The median home price is $91,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.65%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 168-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.3°F and average winter lows of 17.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 25.7 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Smith County Memorial Hospital is 0.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 95.7% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $91,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 95.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Smith County Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 0.9 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on wheat, corn, soybeans means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 4 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 1.65% 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
Smith County, KS is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 67/100
- Median home price
- $91k
- Property tax
- 1.65%
- Growing season
- 168 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 25.7"
- Broadband
- 95.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Smith County Memorial Hospital, 0.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Smith County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Smith County?
- Smith County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 168-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.3°F, and average winter lows of 17.2°F. The established crops are wheat, corn, soybeans.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $91,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.65%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 95.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Smith County Memorial Hospital is 0.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Kansas Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Kansas
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The closest counties to Smith 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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