Moniteau County
MO · Pop. 15,303 · Suburban County
Moniteau County sits in Missouri across 415 square miles, home to 15,303 people at 36.9 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, soybeans, corn. The median home price is $168,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.72%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 191-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.6°F and average winter lows of 22.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 43.7 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital - Jeffers is 20.2 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.7% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 191-day growing season in USDA zone 6b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.72% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $168,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 98.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.3% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- The nearest hospital, SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital - Jeffers, is 20.2 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Moniteau County, MO is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 72/100
- Median home price
- $168k
- Property tax
- 0.72%
- Growing season
- 191 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 43.7"
- Broadband
- 98.7%
- Nearest hospital
- SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital - Jeffers, 20.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Moniteau County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Moniteau County?
- Moniteau County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 191-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.6°F, and average winter lows of 22.5°F. The established crops are hay, soybeans, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $168,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.72%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital - Jeffers is 20.2 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Missouri Resources
Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in Missouri
All Missouri countiesNearby counties
The closest counties to Moniteau 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.