Washington County
MO · Pop. 23,483 · Suburban County
Washington County is a suburban county in Missouri, spanning 760 square miles with 23,483 residents at a density of 30.9 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, soybeans, haylage. A median home price of $118,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.58% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 190-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.3°F and average winter lows of 23.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 43.9 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Washington County Memorial Hospital is 6.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 100% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 190-day growing season in USDA zone 6b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.58% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $118,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Washington County Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 6.9 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- A poverty rate of 18.2% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Washington County, MO is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 100/100
- Median home price
- $118k
- Property tax
- 0.58%
- Growing season
- 190 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 43.9"
- Broadband
- 100%
- Nearest hospital
- Washington County Memorial Hospital, 6.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Washington County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Washington County?
- Washington County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 190-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.3°F, and average winter lows of 23.6°F. The established crops are hay, soybeans, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $118,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.58%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Washington County Memorial Hospital is 6.9 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 Washington 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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