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Stevens County

KS · Pop. 5,212 · Rural County

42/100Homestead Score

Stevens County sits in Kansas across 727 square miles, home to 5,212 people at 7.2 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, wheat, sorghum. The median home price is $125,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.8%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 183-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.9°F and average winter lows of 20.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 19.1 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Stevens County Hospital is 2.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 82.3% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.8%
Growing Season: 183 days
Broadband: 82.3%
Density: 7.2/sq mi

Pros

  • A median home price of $125,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Stevens County Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 2.7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A strong agricultural economy built on corn, wheat, sorghum means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
  • At 7.2 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
  • A low unemployment rate of 3% reflects a stable local job base.

Cons

  • Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
  • Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
  • Annual rainfall of just 19.1 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
  • An effective property tax rate of 1.8% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.

At a glance

Stevens County, KS is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.

Homestead score
42/100
Median home price
$125k
Property tax
1.8%
Growing season
183 days (zone 6b)
Annual rainfall
19.1"
Broadband
82.3%
Nearest hospital
Stevens County Hospital, 2.7 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.8%
Median Household Income$61,909
Poverty Rate15.3%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$125K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone6b
Growing Season183 days
Annual Rainfall19.1 inches
Avg Summer High89.9°F
Avg Winter Low20.6°F
Top CropsCorn, Wheat, Sorghum

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought10/10
Wildfire8/10
Tornado5/10
Flood1/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalStevens County Hospital (2.7 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage82.3%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Stevens County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Stevens County?
Stevens County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 183-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.9°F, and average winter lows of 20.6°F. The established crops are corn, wheat, sorghum.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $125,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.8%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 82.3% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
How close is healthcare?
Stevens County Hospital is 2.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

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Nearby counties

The closest counties to Stevens 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.