Miller County
MO · Pop. 25,081 · Suburban County
Miller County is a suburban county in Missouri, spanning 593 square miles with 25,081 residents at a density of 42.3 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, soybeans, corn. A median home price of $170,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.63% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 201-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.4°F and average winter lows of 24.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 44.9 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Lake Regional Health System is 15.3 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 100% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 201-day growing season in USDA zone 6b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.63% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $170,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.8% reflects a stable local job base.
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.
- The nearest hospital, Lake Regional Health System, is 15.3 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Miller County, MO is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 76/100
- Median home price
- $170k
- Property tax
- 0.63%
- Growing season
- 201 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 44.9"
- Broadband
- 100%
- Nearest hospital
- Lake Regional Health System, 15.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Miller County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Miller County?
- Miller County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 201-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.4°F, and average winter lows of 24.5°F. The established crops are hay, soybeans, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $170,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.63%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Lake Regional Health System is 15.3 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
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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