Newton County
MO · Pop. 59,490 · Suburban County
Newton County, Missouri covers 625 square miles with a population of 59,490 and a density of 95.2 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, wheat. A median home price of $175,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.68% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 181-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.8°F and average winter lows of 24.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 47.7 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Freeman Neosho Hospital is 3.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 82.5% 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 0.68% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $175,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Freeman Neosho Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 3.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.9% 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.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
At a glance
Newton County, MO is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 56/100
- Median home price
- $175k
- Property tax
- 0.68%
- Growing season
- 181 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 47.7"
- Broadband
- 82.5%
- Nearest hospital
- Freeman Neosho Hospital, 3.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Newton County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Newton County?
- Newton County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 181-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.8°F, and average winter lows of 24.1°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $175,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.68%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 82.5% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Freeman Neosho Hospital is 3.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 5 hospitals in the county.
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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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