Scotland County
MO · Pop. 4,698 · Rural County
Scotland County, Missouri covers 437 square miles with a population of 4,698 and a density of 10.8 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on soybeans, hay, corn. A median home price of $141,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.84% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 169-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.3°F and average winter lows of 16.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 35.8 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Scotland County Hospital is 1.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.7% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.84% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $141,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 97.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Scotland County Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 1.7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- At 10.8 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
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.
- At 10.8 people per square mile, services, labor, and suppliers are spread thin.
At a glance
Scotland County, MO is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 94/100
- Median home price
- $141k
- Property tax
- 0.84%
- Growing season
- 169 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 35.8"
- Broadband
- 97.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Scotland County Hospital, 1.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Scotland County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Scotland County?
- Scotland County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 169-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.3°F, and average winter lows of 16.6°F. The established crops are soybeans, hay, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $141,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.84%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Scotland County Hospital is 1.7 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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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Missouri
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The closest counties to Scotland 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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