McDonald County
MO · Pop. 23,492 · Suburban County
McDonald County is a suburban county in Missouri, spanning 539 square miles with 23,492 residents at a density of 43.6 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, corn. A median home price of $134,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.54% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 180-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.4°F and average winter lows of 25.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 43.7 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Ozarks Community Hospital of Gravette is 16.5 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 60.2% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.54% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $134,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- A median household income of $48,145 anchors the local economy.
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.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- Broadband reaches only 60.2% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
At a glance
McDonald County, MO is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 44/100
- Median home price
- $134k
- Property tax
- 0.54%
- Growing season
- 180 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 43.7"
- Broadband
- 60.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Ozarks Community Hospital of Gravette, 16.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in McDonald County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in McDonald County?
- McDonald County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 180-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.4°F, and average winter lows of 25.7°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $134,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.54%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 60.2% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Ozarks Community Hospital of Gravette is 16.5 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Missouri Resources
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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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