Howard County
MO · Pop. 10,141 · Rural County
Howard County is a rural county in Missouri, spanning 464 square miles with 10,141 residents at a density of 21.9 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on soybeans, corn, hay. A median home price of $145,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.87% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 184-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.7°F and average winter lows of 20.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 42 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Landmark Hospital of Columbia, Llc is 24.3 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 94.1% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.87% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $145,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 94.1% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- At 21.9 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 4% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- The nearest hospital, Landmark Hospital of Columbia, Llc, is 24.3 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Howard County, MO is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 73/100
- Median home price
- $145k
- Property tax
- 0.87%
- Growing season
- 184 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 42"
- Broadband
- 94.1%
- Nearest hospital
- Landmark Hospital of Columbia, Llc, 24.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Howard County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Howard County?
- Howard County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 184-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.7°F, and average winter lows of 20.4°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $145,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.87%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 94.1% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Landmark Hospital of Columbia, Llc is 24.3 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Missouri Resources
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LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
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 Howard 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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