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Barry County

MI · Pop. 62,982 · Mixed County

55/100Homestead Score

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.

Property Tax: 1.11%
Growing Season: 150 days
Broadband: 82.8%
Density: 113.9/sq mi

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

Property Tax Rate1.11%
Median Household Income$77,873
Poverty Rate8.1%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$244K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone6a
Growing Season150 days
Annual Rainfall37.4 inches
Avg Summer High79.9°F
Avg Winter Low17.4°F
Top CropsCorn, Hay, Soybeans

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought1/10
Wildfire3/10
Tornado8/10
Flood6/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalSpectrum Health Pennock (4.3 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage82.8%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate5%
Ag EconomyModerate

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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Nearby counties

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.