Douglas County
MO · Pop. 11,850 · Rural County
Douglas County, Missouri covers 814 square miles with a population of 11,850 and a density of 14.6 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 $164,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.41% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 193-day growing season, average summer highs of 86°F and average winter lows of 23.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 43.8 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Ozarks Healthcare is 38.3 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 68.8% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 193-day growing season in USDA zone 7a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.41% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $164,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- At 14.6 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- Annual rainfall of 43.8 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
Cons
- Broadband reaches only 68.8% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- The nearest hospital, Ozarks Healthcare, is 38.3 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
Douglas County, MO is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 67/100
- Median home price
- $164k
- Property tax
- 0.41%
- Growing season
- 193 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 43.8"
- Broadband
- 68.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Ozarks Healthcare, 38.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Douglas County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Douglas County?
- Douglas County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 193-day growing season, average summer highs of 86°F, and average winter lows of 23.3°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $164,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.41%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 68.8% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Ozarks Healthcare is 38.3 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 Douglas 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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