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Pottawatomie County

OK · Pop. 73,011 · Suburban County

56/100Homestead Score

Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma covers 788 square miles with a population of 73,011 and a density of 92.7 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, wheat. A median home price of $156,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.65% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 210-day growing season, average summer highs of 93.4°F and average winter lows of 28.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 41.3 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Cornerstone Specialty Hospitals Shawnee is 6.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.9% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.65%
Growing Season: 210 days
Broadband: 97.9%
Density: 92.7/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 210-day growing season in USDA zone 7b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.65% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • A median home price of $156,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 97.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Cornerstone Specialty Hospitals Shawnee, with an emergency room, is just 6.2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.

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.
  • Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.

At a glance

Pottawatomie County, OK is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.

Homestead score
56/100
Median home price
$156k
Property tax
0.65%
Growing season
210 days (zone 7b)
Annual rainfall
41.3"
Broadband
97.9%
Nearest hospital
Cornerstone Specialty Hospitals Shawnee, 6.2 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.65%
Median Household Income$60,828
Poverty Rate15.7%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$156K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone7b
Growing Season210 days
Annual Rainfall41.3 inches
Avg Summer High93.4°F
Avg Winter Low28.4°F
Top CropsHay, Haylage, Wheat

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought9/10
Wildfire10/10
Tornado10/10
Flood7/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalCornerstone Specialty Hospitals Shawnee (6.2 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities2

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage97.9%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.8%
Ag EconomyModerate

Homesteading in Pottawatomie County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Pottawatomie County?
Pottawatomie County is in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 210-day growing season, average summer highs of 93.4°F, and average winter lows of 28.4°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, wheat.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $156,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.65%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 97.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Cornerstone Specialty Hospitals Shawnee is 6.2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.

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Nearby counties

The closest counties to Pottawatomie 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.