Clay County
MO · Pop. 255,566 · Urban County
Clay County is an urban county in Missouri, spanning 398 square miles with 255,566 residents at a density of 642.1 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, corn, soybeans. The median home price is $256,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.1%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 184-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.3°F and average winter lows of 19°F. Annual rainfall averages 41.2 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Liberty Hospital is 2.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.3% 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
- Broadband reaches 98.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Liberty Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 2.8 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.8% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 8.5% signals a relatively stable local economy.
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 642.1 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Clay County, MO is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 51/100
- Median home price
- $256k
- Property tax
- 1.1%
- Growing season
- 184 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 41.2"
- Broadband
- 98.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Liberty Hospital, 2.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Clay County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Clay County?
- Clay County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 184-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.3°F, and average winter lows of 19°F. The established crops are hay, corn, soybeans.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $256,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.1%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Liberty Hospital is 2.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 7 hospitals in the county.
Explore Missouri Resources
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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
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The closest counties to Clay 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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