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Cedar County

MO · Pop. 14,440 · Suburban County

91/100Homestead Score

Cedar County sits in Missouri across 474 square miles, home to 14,440 people at 30.5 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, soybeans, corn. The median home price is $163,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.59%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 193-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.8°F and average winter lows of 24.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 45.9 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Cedar County Memorial Hospital is 12.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.1% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.59%
Growing Season: 193 days
Broadband: 98.1%
Density: 30.5/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 193-day growing season in USDA zone 7a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.59% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • A median home price of $163,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 98.1% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.

Cons

  • Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
  • Wildfire risk is high, so defensible space and fire preparedness should be part of any build plan.

At a glance

Cedar County, MO is a strong overall fit for homesteading.

Homestead score
91/100
Median home price
$163k
Property tax
0.59%
Growing season
193 days (zone 7a)
Annual rainfall
45.9"
Broadband
98.1%
Nearest hospital
Cedar County Memorial Hospital, 12.6 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.59%
Median Household Income$45,577
Poverty Rate17%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$163K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone7a
Growing Season193 days
Annual Rainfall45.9 inches
Avg Summer High86.8°F
Avg Winter Low24.1°F
Top CropsHay, Soybeans, Corn

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought6/10
Wildfire5/10
Tornado7/10
Flood3/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalCedar County Memorial Hospital (12.6 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage98.1%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate4.6%
Ag EconomyModerate

Homesteading in Cedar County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Cedar County?
Cedar County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 193-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.8°F, and average winter lows of 24.1°F. The established crops are hay, soybeans, corn.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $163,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.59%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 98.1% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Cedar County Memorial Hospital is 12.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

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Nearby counties

The closest counties to Cedar 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.