Morgan County
MO · Pop. 21,430 · Suburban County
Morgan County sits in Missouri across 598 square miles, home to 21,430 people at 35.8 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, soybeans, haylage. The median home price is $180,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.61%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 176-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.2°F and average winter lows of 20.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 44.7 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Lake Regional Health System is 23.2 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, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.61% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $180,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
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.
- The nearest hospital, Lake Regional Health System, is 23.2 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Morgan County, MO is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 59/100
- Median home price
- $180k
- Property tax
- 0.61%
- Growing season
- 176 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 44.7"
- Broadband
- 100%
- Nearest hospital
- Lake Regional Health System, 23.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Morgan County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Morgan County?
- Morgan County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 176-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.2°F, and average winter lows of 20.4°F. The established crops are hay, soybeans, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $180,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.61%. 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 23.2 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Missouri Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Missouri
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The closest counties to Morgan 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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