Jefferson County
MO · Pop. 228,227 · Mixed County
Jefferson County sits in Missouri across 656 square miles, home to 228,227 people at 347.9 per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, soybeans, corn. A median home price of $219,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.84% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 186-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.5°F and average winter lows of 22.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 42.6 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Mercy Hospital Jefferson is 9.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.4% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 186-day growing season in USDA zone 6b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.84% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 97.4% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Mercy Hospital Jefferson, with an emergency room, is just 9.2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.7% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- 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 347.9 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Jefferson County, MO is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 57/100
- Median home price
- $219k
- Property tax
- 0.84%
- Growing season
- 186 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 42.6"
- Broadband
- 97.4%
- Nearest hospital
- Mercy Hospital Jefferson, 9.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Jefferson County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Jefferson County?
- Jefferson County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 186-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.5°F, and average winter lows of 22.9°F. The established crops are hay, soybeans, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $219,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.84%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97.4% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Mercy Hospital Jefferson is 9.2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Missouri Resources
Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
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
All Missouri countiesNearby counties
The closest counties to Jefferson 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.
Your brand here — Reach our audience of professional directory owners and boost your sales.