Caldwell County
MO · Pop. 8,890 · Rural County
Caldwell County, Missouri covers 426 square miles with a population of 8,890 and a density of 20.9 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, hay, corn. The median home price is $157,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.78%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 163-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.7°F and average winter lows of 16.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 39 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Cameron Regional Medical Center, Inc is 13.6 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 75.8% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.78% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $157,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- A strong agricultural economy built on soybeans, hay, corn means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 20.9 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A 163-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Broadband reaches only 75.8% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- The nearest hospital, Cameron Regional Medical Center, Inc, is 13.6 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Caldwell County, MO is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 65/100
- Median home price
- $157k
- Property tax
- 0.78%
- Growing season
- 163 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 39"
- Broadband
- 75.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Cameron Regional Medical Center, Inc, 13.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Caldwell County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Caldwell County?
- Caldwell County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 163-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.7°F, and average winter lows of 16.2°F. The established crops are soybeans, hay, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $157,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.78%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 75.8% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Cameron Regional Medical Center, Inc is 13.6 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
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 Caldwell 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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