Monroe County
MO · Pop. 8,672 · Rural County
Monroe County is a rural county in Missouri, spanning 648 square miles with 8,672 residents at a density of 13.4 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, corn, hay. The median home price is $147,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.74%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 173-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.5°F and average winter lows of 19°F. Annual rainfall averages 41.7 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Moberly Regional Medical Center is 22.3 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 87.5% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.74% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $147,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- A strong agricultural economy built on soybeans, corn, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 13.4 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- The nearest hospital, Moberly Regional Medical Center, is 22.3 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Monroe County, MO is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 70/100
- Median home price
- $147k
- Property tax
- 0.74%
- Growing season
- 173 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 41.7"
- Broadband
- 87.5%
- Nearest hospital
- Moberly Regional Medical Center, 22.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Monroe County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Monroe County?
- Monroe County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 173-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.5°F, and average winter lows of 19°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $147,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.74%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 87.5% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Moberly Regional Medical Center is 22.3 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Missouri Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
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More counties in Missouri
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The closest counties to Monroe 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.
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