Franklin County
MO · Pop. 105,316 · Mixed County
Franklin County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Missouri, spanning 923 square miles with 105,316 residents at a density of 114.1 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, soybeans, corn. A median home price of $215,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.83% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 185-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.7°F and average winter lows of 24.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 44.9 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Mercy Hospital Washington is 10.4 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 185-day growing season in USDA zone 6b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.83% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Mercy Hospital Washington, with an emergency room, is just 10.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on hay, soybeans, corn means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
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
Franklin County, MO is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 64/100
- Median home price
- $215k
- Property tax
- 0.83%
- Growing season
- 185 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 44.9"
- Broadband
- 100%
- Nearest hospital
- Mercy Hospital Washington, 10.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Franklin County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Franklin County?
- Franklin County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 185-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.7°F, and average winter lows of 24.7°F. The established crops are hay, soybeans, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $215,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.83%. 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?
- Mercy Hospital Washington is 10.4 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
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Missouri
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The closest counties to Franklin 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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