Mississippi County
MO · Pop. 12,079 · Suburban County
Mississippi County, Missouri covers 412 square miles with a population of 12,079 and a density of 29.3 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, wheat, corn. A median home price of $100,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.88% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 211-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.8°F and average winter lows of 27.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 48.6 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Missouri Delta Medical Center is 16.5 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 93% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 211-day growing season in USDA zone 7b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.88% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $100,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 93% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A strong agricultural economy built on soybeans, wheat, corn means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- The nearest hospital, Missouri Delta Medical Center, is 16.5 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- A poverty rate of 23% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
Mississippi County, MO is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 77/100
- Median home price
- $100k
- Property tax
- 0.88%
- Growing season
- 211 days (zone 7b)
- Annual rainfall
- 48.6"
- Broadband
- 93%
- Nearest hospital
- Missouri Delta Medical Center, 16.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Mississippi County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Mississippi County?
- Mississippi County is in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 211-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.8°F, and average winter lows of 27.7°F. The established crops are soybeans, wheat, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $100,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.88%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 93% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Missouri Delta Medical Center 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.