Callaway County
MO · Pop. 44,541 · Suburban County
Callaway County sits in Missouri across 835 square miles, home to 44,541 people at 53.3 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, soybeans, corn. The median home price is $196,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.79%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 196-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.3°F and average winter lows of 22.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 45.1 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Noble Health Callaway Community Hos is 2.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 196-day growing season in USDA zone 6b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.79% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $196,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Noble Health Callaway Community Hos, with an emergency room, is just 2.3 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.
At a glance
Callaway County, MO is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 83/100
- Median home price
- $196k
- Property tax
- 0.79%
- Growing season
- 196 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 45.1"
- Broadband
- 99.9%
- Nearest hospital
- Noble Health Callaway Community Hos, 2.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Callaway County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Callaway County?
- Callaway County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 196-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.3°F, and average winter lows of 22.1°F. The established crops are hay, soybeans, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $196,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.79%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Noble Health Callaway Community Hos is 2.3 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore Missouri Resources
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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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