Howell County
MO · Pop. 40,168 · Suburban County
Howell County, Missouri covers 927 square miles with a population of 40,168 and a density of 43.3 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, corn. A median home price of $161,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.55% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 184-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.4°F and average winter lows of 23.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 47.2 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Ozarks Healthcare is 2.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 81.3% 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 low effective property tax rate of 0.55% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $161,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Ozarks Healthcare, with an emergency room, is just 2.6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- Annual rainfall of 47.2 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
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.
- A poverty rate of 21.4% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
Howell County, MO is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 79/100
- Median home price
- $161k
- Property tax
- 0.55%
- Growing season
- 184 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 47.2"
- Broadband
- 81.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Ozarks Healthcare, 2.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Howell County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Howell County?
- Howell County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 184-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.4°F, and average winter lows of 23.9°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $161,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.55%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 81.3% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Ozarks Healthcare is 2.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
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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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