Wilson County
KS · Pop. 8,559 · Rural County
Wilson County, Kansas covers 570 square miles with a population of 8,559 and a density of 15 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, wheat, corn. A median home price of $94,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.38% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 185-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.6°F and average winter lows of 22.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 42.6 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Fredonia Regional Hospital is 4.1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 89.1% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 185-day growing season in USDA zone 7a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $94,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Fredonia Regional Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 4.1 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on soybeans, wheat, corn means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 15 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 1.38% 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
Wilson County, KS is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 68/100
- Median home price
- $94k
- Property tax
- 1.38%
- Growing season
- 185 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 42.6"
- Broadband
- 89.1%
- Nearest hospital
- Fredonia Regional Hospital, 4.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Wilson County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Wilson County?
- Wilson County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 185-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.6°F, and average winter lows of 22.4°F. The established crops are soybeans, wheat, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $94,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.38%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 89.1% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Fredonia Regional Hospital is 4.1 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
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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.