St. Clair County
MO · Pop. 9,451 · Rural County
St. Clair County is a rural county in Missouri, spanning 675 square miles with 9,451 residents at a density of 14 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, soybeans, corn. The median home price is $143,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.64%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 185-day growing season, average summer highs of 89°F and average winter lows of 23.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 43.6 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Ellett Memorial Hospital is 16.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 92.3% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 185-day growing season in USDA zone 6b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.64% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $143,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 92.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- At 14 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 a glance
St. Clair County, MO is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 82/100
- Median home price
- $143k
- Property tax
- 0.64%
- Growing season
- 185 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 43.6"
- Broadband
- 92.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Ellett Memorial Hospital, 16.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in St. Clair County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in St. Clair County?
- St. Clair County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 185-day growing season, average summer highs of 89°F, and average winter lows of 23.2°F. The established crops are hay, soybeans, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $143,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.64%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 92.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Ellett Memorial Hospital is 16.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Missouri Resources
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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
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The closest counties to St. Clair 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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