Cooper County
MO · Pop. 16,835 · Suburban County
Cooper County is a suburban county in Missouri, spanning 565 square miles with 16,835 residents at a density of 29.8 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 $197,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.68%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 201-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.6°F and average winter lows of 22.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 44.7 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Bothwell Regional Health Center is 24.4 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 91.4% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is high, drought 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 0.68% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $197,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 91.4% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A strong agricultural economy built on soybeans, hay, corn means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- The nearest hospital, Bothwell Regional Health Center, is 24.4 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- Wildfire risk is high, so defensible space and fire preparedness should be part of any build plan.
At a glance
Cooper County, MO is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 67/100
- Median home price
- $197k
- Property tax
- 0.68%
- Growing season
- 201 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 44.7"
- Broadband
- 91.4%
- Nearest hospital
- Bothwell Regional Health Center, 24.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Cooper County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Cooper County?
- Cooper County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 201-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.6°F, and average winter lows of 22.3°F. The established crops are soybeans, hay, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $197,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.68%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 91.4% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Bothwell Regional Health Center is 24.4 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 Cooper 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.