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Knox County

MO · Pop. 3,760 · Rural County

70/100Homestead Score

Knox County, Missouri covers 504 square miles with a population of 3,760 and a density of 7.5 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, corn, hay. The median home price is $97,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.8%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 186-day growing season, average summer highs of 86°F and average winter lows of 22.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 41.5 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Scotland County Hospital is 22.7 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 77.7% of homes. On the hazard side, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.8%
Growing Season: 186 days
Broadband: 77.7%
Density: 7.5/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 186-day growing season in USDA zone 6a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.8% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • A median home price of $97,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • A strong agricultural economy built on soybeans, corn, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
  • At 7.5 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.

Cons

  • Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
  • Broadband reaches only 77.7% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
  • The nearest hospital, Scotland County Hospital, is 22.7 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.

At a glance

Knox County, MO is a strong overall fit for homesteading.

Homestead score
70/100
Median home price
$97k
Property tax
0.8%
Growing season
186 days (zone 6a)
Annual rainfall
41.5"
Broadband
77.7%
Nearest hospital
Scotland County Hospital, 22.7 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.8%
Median Household Income$53,333
Poverty Rate14.7%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$97K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone6a
Growing Season186 days
Annual Rainfall41.5 inches
Avg Summer High86°F
Avg Winter Low22.2°F
Top CropsSoybeans, Corn, Hay

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought7/10
Wildfire4/10
Tornado4/10
Flood3/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalScotland County Hospital (22.7 mi)
Emergency RoomNo
Healthcare Facilities0

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage77.7%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate4.7%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Knox County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Knox County?
Knox County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 186-day growing season, average summer highs of 86°F, and average winter lows of 22.2°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, hay.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $97,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.8%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 77.7% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
How close is healthcare?
Scotland County Hospital is 22.7 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.

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Nearby counties

The closest counties to Knox 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.