Dent County
MO · Pop. 14,506 · Rural County
Dent County is a rural county in Missouri, spanning 753 square miles with 14,506 residents at a density of 19.3 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, corn. A median home price of $150,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.56% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 191-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.1°F and average winter lows of 25.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 47.2 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Salem Memorial District Hospital is 5.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 100% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 191-day growing season in USDA zone 6b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.56% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $150,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Salem Memorial District Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 5.9 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
At a glance
Dent County, MO is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 100/100
- Median home price
- $150k
- Property tax
- 0.56%
- Growing season
- 191 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 47.2"
- Broadband
- 100%
- Nearest hospital
- Salem Memorial District Hospital, 5.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Dent County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Dent County?
- Dent County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 191-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.1°F, and average winter lows of 25.7°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $150,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.56%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Salem Memorial District Hospital is 5.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Missouri Resources
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LandWatch
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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 Dent 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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