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Wilson County

KS · Pop. 8,559 · Rural County

68/100Homestead Score

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.

Property Tax: 1.38%
Growing Season: 185 days
Broadband: 89.1%
Density: 15/sq mi

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

Property Tax Rate1.38%
Median Household Income$57,056
Poverty Rate15.8%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$94K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone7a
Growing Season185 days
Annual Rainfall42.6 inches
Avg Summer High88.6°F
Avg Winter Low22.4°F
Top CropsSoybeans, Wheat, Corn

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought7/10
Wildfire6/10
Tornado6/10
Flood3/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalFredonia Regional Hospital (4.1 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities2

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage89.1%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate4.8%
Ag EconomyStrong

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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Nearby counties

The closest counties to Wilson 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.