Chariton County
MO · Pop. 7,406 · Rural County
Chariton County is a rural county in Missouri, spanning 751 square miles with 7,406 residents at a density of 9.9 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 $119,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.76%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 184-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.1°F and average winter lows of 20.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 42 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Pershing - General John J - Memorial Hospital is 18.6 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 70.9% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.76% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $119,000 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 9.9 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.9% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- Broadband reaches only 70.9% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- The nearest hospital, Pershing - General John J - Memorial Hospital, is 18.6 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Chariton County, MO is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 60/100
- Median home price
- $119k
- Property tax
- 0.76%
- Growing season
- 184 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 42"
- Broadband
- 70.9%
- Nearest hospital
- Pershing - General John J - Memorial Hospital, 18.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Chariton County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Chariton County?
- Chariton County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 184-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.1°F, and average winter lows of 20.7°F. The established crops are soybeans, hay, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $119,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.76%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 70.9% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Pershing - General John J - Memorial Hospital is 18.6 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Missouri Resources
Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in Missouri
All Missouri countiesNearby counties
The closest counties to Chariton 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.
Your brand here — Reach our audience of professional directory owners and boost your sales.