Cole County
MO · Pop. 76,924 · Mixed County
Cole County sits in Missouri across 392 square miles, home to 76,924 people at 196.2 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, soybeans, haylage. The median home price is $214,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.81%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 201-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.5°F and average winter lows of 23.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 43.1 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital - Jeffers is 5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 100% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 201-day growing season in USDA zone 6b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.81% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital - Jeffers, with an emergency room, is just 5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.2% reflects a stable local job base.
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
Cole County, MO is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 64/100
- Median home price
- $214k
- Property tax
- 0.81%
- Growing season
- 201 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 43.1"
- Broadband
- 100%
- Nearest hospital
- SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital - Jeffers, 5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Cole County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Cole County?
- Cole County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 201-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.5°F, and average winter lows of 23.2°F. The established crops are hay, soybeans, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $214,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.81%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital - Jeffers is 5 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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The closest counties to Cole 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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