Butler County
MO · Pop. 42,166 · Suburban County
Butler County is a suburban county in Missouri, spanning 695 square miles with 42,166 residents at a density of 60.7 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, rice, corn. A median home price of $139,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.67% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 216-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.9°F and average winter lows of 27.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 48 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. John J. Pershing VA Medical Center is 4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 90.2% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 216-day growing season in USDA zone 7a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.67% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $139,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 90.2% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- John J. Pershing VA Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- 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.
- A poverty rate of 20.3% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
Butler County, MO is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 82/100
- Median home price
- $139k
- Property tax
- 0.67%
- Growing season
- 216 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 48"
- Broadband
- 90.2%
- Nearest hospital
- John J. Pershing VA Medical Center, 4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Butler County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Butler County?
- Butler County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 216-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.9°F, and average winter lows of 27.3°F. The established crops are soybeans, rice, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $139,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.67%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 90.2% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- John J. Pershing VA Medical Center is 4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 3 hospitals in the county.
Explore Missouri Resources
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LandWatch
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More counties in Missouri
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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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