Barry County
MO · Pop. 34,831 · Suburban County
Barry County sits in Missouri across 778 square miles, home to 34,831 people at 44.8 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, wheat. A median home price of $173,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.57% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 178-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.7°F and average winter lows of 23.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 47 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Mercy Hospital Cassville is 2.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 92.5% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.57% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $173,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 92.5% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Mercy Hospital Cassville, with an emergency room, is just 2.7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
At a glance
Barry County, MO is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 75/100
- Median home price
- $173k
- Property tax
- 0.57%
- Growing season
- 178 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 47"
- Broadband
- 92.5%
- Nearest hospital
- Mercy Hospital Cassville, 2.7 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 7a with a 178-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.7°F, and average winter lows of 23.3°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $173,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.57%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 92.5% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Mercy Hospital Cassville is 2.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore Missouri Resources
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LandWatch
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Missouri
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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.
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