Polk County
MO · Pop. 32,109 · Suburban County
Polk County is a suburban county in Missouri, spanning 636 square miles with 32,109 residents at a density of 50.5 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, haylage, soybeans. A median home price of $190,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.58% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 169-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.2°F and average winter lows of 23.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 47.2 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Citizens Memorial Hospital is 1.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 84.1% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is 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 0.58% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $190,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Citizens Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 1.3 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on hay, haylage, soybeans means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
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.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
At a glance
Polk County, MO is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 72/100
- Median home price
- $190k
- Property tax
- 0.58%
- Growing season
- 169 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 47.2"
- Broadband
- 84.1%
- Nearest hospital
- Citizens Memorial Hospital, 1.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Polk County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Polk County?
- Polk County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 169-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.2°F, and average winter lows of 23.8°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, soybeans.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $190,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.58%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 84.1% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Citizens Memorial Hospital is 1.3 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
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More counties in Missouri
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The closest counties to Polk 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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