Ray County
MO · Pop. 23,149 · Suburban County
Ray County sits in Missouri across 569 square miles, home to 23,149 people at 40.7 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, hay, corn. A median home price of $187,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.82% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 191-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.5°F and average winter lows of 19.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 43.4 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Ray County Memorial Hospital is 3.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 93.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 191-day growing season in USDA zone 6a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.82% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $187,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 93.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Ray County Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 3.7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- Wildfire risk is high, so defensible space and fire preparedness should be part of any build plan.
- Flood risk is high, so low-lying parcels deserve careful evaluation before purchase.
At a glance
Ray County, MO is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 82/100
- Median home price
- $187k
- Property tax
- 0.82%
- Growing season
- 191 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 43.4"
- Broadband
- 93.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Ray County Memorial Hospital, 3.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Ray County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Ray County?
- Ray County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 191-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.5°F, and average winter lows of 19.5°F. The established crops are soybeans, hay, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $187,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.82%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 93.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Ray County Memorial Hospital is 3.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Missouri Resources
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LandWatch
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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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