Hickory County
MO · Pop. 8,501 · Rural County
Hickory County, Missouri covers 399 square miles with a population of 8,501 and a density of 21.3 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, soybeans, corn. The median home price is $123,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.47%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 190-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.3°F and average winter lows of 23.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 44.7 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Citizens Memorial Hospital is 22.1 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 76.6% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 190-day growing season in USDA zone 6b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.47% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $123,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- At 21.3 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Broadband reaches only 76.6% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- The nearest hospital, Citizens Memorial Hospital, is 22.1 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- A poverty rate of 19.5% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
Hickory County, MO is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 69/100
- Median home price
- $123k
- Property tax
- 0.47%
- Growing season
- 190 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 44.7"
- Broadband
- 76.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Citizens Memorial Hospital, 22.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Hickory County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Hickory County?
- Hickory County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 190-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.3°F, and average winter lows of 23.3°F. The established crops are hay, soybeans, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $123,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.47%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 76.6% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Citizens Memorial Hospital is 22.1 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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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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