Iron County
MO · Pop. 9,482 · Rural County
Iron County sits in Missouri across 550 square miles, home to 9,482 people at 17.2 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, asparagus. A median home price of $113,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.65% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 185-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.8°F and average winter lows of 24.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 44.7 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Iron County Medical Center is 3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 100% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is 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 0.65% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $113,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Iron County Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 3 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A poverty rate of 20.7% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Iron County, MO is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 100/100
- Median home price
- $113k
- Property tax
- 0.65%
- Growing season
- 185 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 44.7"
- Broadband
- 100%
- Nearest hospital
- Iron County Medical Center, 3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Iron County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Iron County?
- Iron County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 185-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.8°F, and average winter lows of 24.2°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, asparagus.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $113,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.65%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Iron County Medical Center is 3 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 Iron 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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