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Sumner County

KS · Pop. 22,386 · Rural County

58/100Homestead Score

Sumner County is a rural county in Kansas, spanning 1,182 square miles with 22,386 residents at a density of 18.9 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, soybeans, corn. A median home price of $119,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.71% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 192-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.7°F and average winter lows of 23.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 32.6 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Sumner Community Hospital is 6.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.71%
Growing Season: 192 days
Broadband: 99%
Density: 18.9/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 192-day growing season in USDA zone 7a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A median home price of $119,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 99% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Sumner Community Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 6.2 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.
  • Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
  • An effective property tax rate of 1.71% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.

At a glance

Sumner County, KS is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.

Homestead score
58/100
Median home price
$119k
Property tax
1.71%
Growing season
192 days (zone 7a)
Annual rainfall
32.6"
Broadband
99%
Nearest hospital
Sumner Community Hospital, 6.2 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.71%
Median Household Income$60,348
Poverty Rate10.8%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$119K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone7a
Growing Season192 days
Annual Rainfall32.6 inches
Avg Summer High90.7°F
Avg Winter Low23.5°F
Top CropsWheat, Soybeans, Corn

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought8/10
Wildfire7/10
Tornado8/10
Flood5/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalSumner Community Hospital (6.2 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities2

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage99%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate4%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Sumner County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Sumner County?
Sumner County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 192-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.7°F, and average winter lows of 23.5°F. The established crops are wheat, soybeans, corn.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $119,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.71%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 99% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Sumner Community Hospital is 6.2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 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.