Bates County
MO · Pop. 16,121 · Rural County
Bates County, Missouri covers 837 square miles with a population of 16,121 and a density of 19.3 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, hay, corn. A median home price of $155,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.62% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 183-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.2°F and average winter lows of 21.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 44 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Bates County Memorial Hospital is 0.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.7% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.62% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $155,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 97.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Bates County Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 0.6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on soybeans, hay, corn means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A poverty rate of 18.7% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
Bates County, MO is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 100/100
- Median home price
- $155k
- Property tax
- 0.62%
- Growing season
- 183 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 44"
- Broadband
- 97.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Bates County Memorial Hospital, 0.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Bates County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Bates County?
- Bates County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 183-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.2°F, and average winter lows of 21.8°F. The established crops are soybeans, hay, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $155,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.62%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Bates County Memorial Hospital is 0.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Missouri Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Missouri
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The closest counties to Bates 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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