Marion County
MO · Pop. 28,493 · Suburban County
Marion County, Missouri covers 437 square miles with a population of 28,493 and a density of 65.2 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on soybeans, corn, hay. The median home price is $158,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.87%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 200-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.2°F and average winter lows of 21.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 38.4 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Hannibal Regional Hospital is 11.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 95.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 200-day growing season in USDA zone 6a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.87% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $158,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 95.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Hannibal Regional Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 11.9 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- Flood risk is high, so low-lying parcels deserve careful evaluation before purchase.
At a glance
Marion County, MO is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 79/100
- Median home price
- $158k
- Property tax
- 0.87%
- Growing season
- 200 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 38.4"
- Broadband
- 95.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Hannibal Regional Hospital, 11.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Marion County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Marion County?
- Marion County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 200-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.2°F, and average winter lows of 21.5°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $158,000 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 95.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Hannibal Regional Hospital is 11.9 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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AcreTrader
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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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