Shannon County
MO · Pop. 7,137 · Rural County
Shannon County is a rural county in Missouri, spanning 1,004 square miles with 7,137 residents at a density of 7.1 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage. The median home price is $151,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.43%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 180-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.9°F and average winter lows of 21.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 45.3 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Mercy St. Francis Hospital is 20.1 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 100% 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 0.43% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $151,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- At 7.1 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- Annual rainfall of 45.3 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.
- The nearest hospital, Mercy St. Francis Hospital, is 20.1 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Shannon County, MO is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 93/100
- Median home price
- $151k
- Property tax
- 0.43%
- Growing season
- 180 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 45.3"
- Broadband
- 100%
- Nearest hospital
- Mercy St. Francis Hospital, 20.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Shannon County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Shannon County?
- Shannon County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 180-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.9°F, and average winter lows of 21.8°F. The established crops are hay, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $151,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.43%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Mercy St. Francis Hospital is 20.1 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Missouri Resources
Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in Missouri
All Missouri countiesNearby counties
The closest counties to Shannon 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.
Your brand here — Reach our audience of professional directory owners and boost your sales.