DeKalb County
MO · Pop. 11,176 · Suburban County
DeKalb County sits in Missouri across 421 square miles, home to 11,176 people at 26.5 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on soybeans, hay, corn. The median home price is $168,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.76%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 181-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.7°F and average winter lows of 18.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 38.1 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Cameron Regional Medical Center, Inc is 15.1 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 92.7% 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 low effective property tax rate of 0.76% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $168,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 92.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A low poverty rate of 8.7% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- The nearest hospital, Cameron Regional Medical Center, Inc, is 15.1 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
DeKalb County, MO is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 73/100
- Median home price
- $168k
- Property tax
- 0.76%
- Growing season
- 181 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 38.1"
- Broadband
- 92.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Cameron Regional Medical Center, Inc, 15.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in DeKalb County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in DeKalb County?
- DeKalb County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 181-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.7°F, and average winter lows of 18.9°F. The established crops are soybeans, hay, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $168,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.76%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 92.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Cameron Regional Medical Center, Inc is 15.1 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Missouri Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Missouri
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The closest counties to DeKalb 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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