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Wallace County

KS · Pop. 1,459 · Rural County

34/100Homestead Score

Wallace County, Kansas covers 914 square miles with a population of 1,459 and a density of 1.6 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, corn, sorghum. A median home price of $94,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.54% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 161-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.5°F and average winter lows of 17.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 19.8 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Goodland Regional Medical Center is 30 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 68.5% of homes.

Property Tax: 1.54%
Growing Season: 161 days
Broadband: 68.5%
Density: 1.6/sq mi

Pros

  • A median home price of $94,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • A strong agricultural economy built on wheat, corn, sorghum means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
  • At 1.6 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
  • A low unemployment rate of 3.3% reflects a stable local job base.

Cons

  • A 161-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
  • Annual rainfall of just 19.8 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
  • An effective property tax rate of 1.54% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
  • Broadband reaches only 68.5% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
  • The nearest hospital, Goodland Regional Medical Center, is 30 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.

At a glance

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

Homestead score
34/100
Median home price
$94k
Property tax
1.54%
Growing season
161 days (zone 6a)
Annual rainfall
19.8"
Broadband
68.5%
Nearest hospital
Goodland Regional Medical Center, 30 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.54%
Median Household Income$60,263
Poverty Rate12.8%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$94K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone6a
Growing Season161 days
Annual Rainfall19.8 inches
Avg Summer High88.5°F
Avg Winter Low17.9°F
Top CropsWheat, Corn, Sorghum

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought4/10
Wildfire4/10
Tornado2/10
Flood1/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalGoodland Regional Medical Center (30 mi)
Emergency RoomNo
Healthcare Facilities0

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage68.5%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.3%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Wallace County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Wallace County?
Wallace County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 161-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.5°F, and average winter lows of 17.9°F. The established crops are wheat, corn, sorghum.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $94,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.54%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 68.5% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
How close is healthcare?
Goodland Regional Medical Center is 30 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.

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Nearby counties

The closest counties to Wallace 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.