Stone County
MO · Pop. 31,697 · Suburban County
Stone County is a suburban county in Missouri, spanning 464 square miles with 31,697 residents at a density of 68.3 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, hemp. The median home price is $237,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.49%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 180-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.4°F and average winter lows of 22.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 46.3 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Cox Medical Center Branson is 14.6 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 69.6% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.49% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median household income of $61,323 anchors the local economy.
- Cox Medical Center Branson provides the area's nearest hospital care, 14.6 miles away.
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.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- Broadband reaches only 69.6% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- The nearest hospital, Cox Medical Center Branson, is 14.6 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Stone County, MO is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 47/100
- Median home price
- $237k
- Property tax
- 0.49%
- Growing season
- 180 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 46.3"
- Broadband
- 69.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Cox Medical Center Branson, 14.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Stone County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Stone County?
- Stone County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 180-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.4°F, and average winter lows of 22.8°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, hemp.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $237,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.49%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 69.6% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Cox Medical Center Branson is 14.6 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Missouri Resources
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LandWatch
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More counties in Missouri
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The closest counties to Stone 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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