Barry County
MI · Pop. 62,982 · Mixed County
Barry County sits in Michigan across 553 square miles, home to 62,982 people at 113.9 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on corn, hay, soybeans. A median home price of $244,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.11% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 150-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.9°F and average winter lows of 17.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 37.4 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Spectrum Health Pennock is 4.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 82.8% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Spectrum Health Pennock, with an emergency room, is just 4.3 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low poverty rate of 8.1% signals a relatively stable local economy.
- A median household income of $77,873 anchors the local economy.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- A 150-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Flood risk is high, so low-lying parcels deserve careful evaluation before purchase.
At a glance
Barry County, MI is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 55/100
- Median home price
- $244k
- Property tax
- 1.11%
- Growing season
- 150 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 37.4"
- Broadband
- 82.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Spectrum Health Pennock, 4.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Barry County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Barry County?
- Barry County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 150-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.9°F, and average winter lows of 17.4°F. The established crops are corn, hay, soybeans.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $244,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.11%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 82.8% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Spectrum Health Pennock is 4.3 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
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More counties in Michigan
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The closest counties to Barry 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.