Ozark County
MO · Pop. 8,773 · Rural County
Ozark County sits in Missouri across 745 square miles, home to 8,773 people at 11.8 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, corn. A median home price of $156,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.47% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 177-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.5°F and average winter lows of 23.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 44.4 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Baxter Regional Medical Center is 21.5 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 59.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.47% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $156,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- At 11.8 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- Annual rainfall of 44.4 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Broadband reaches only 59.7% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- The nearest hospital, Baxter Regional Medical Center, is 21.5 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- A poverty rate of 21.7% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
Ozark County, MO is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 58/100
- Median home price
- $156k
- Property tax
- 0.47%
- Growing season
- 177 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 44.4"
- Broadband
- 59.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Baxter Regional Medical Center, 21.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Ozark County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Ozark County?
- Ozark County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 177-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.5°F, and average winter lows of 23.4°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $156,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.47%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 59.7% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Baxter Regional Medical Center is 21.5 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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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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