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Platte County

WY · Pop. 8,606 · Rural County

53/100Homestead Score

Platte County, Wyoming covers 2,081 square miles with a population of 8,606 and a density of 4.1 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, corn, wheat. The median home price is $249,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.59%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 135-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.3°F and average winter lows of 18.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 13.7 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Platte County Memorial Hospital is 5.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 88.2% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.59%
Growing Season: 135 days
Broadband: 88.2%
Density: 4.1/sq mi

Pros

  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.59% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • Platte County Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 5.6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A strong agricultural economy built on hay, corn, wheat means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
  • At 4.1 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
  • A low poverty rate of 10.2% signals a relatively stable local economy.

Cons

  • Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
  • A 135-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
  • Annual rainfall of just 13.7 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.

At a glance

Platte County, WY is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.

Homestead score
53/100
Median home price
$249k
Property tax
0.59%
Growing season
135 days (zone 5a)
Annual rainfall
13.7"
Broadband
88.2%
Nearest hospital
Platte County Memorial Hospital, 5.6 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.59%
Median Household Income$66,299
Poverty Rate10.2%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$249K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone5a
Growing Season135 days
Annual Rainfall13.7 inches
Avg Summer High86.3°F
Avg Winter Low18.8°F
Top CropsHay, Corn, Wheat

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought4/10
Wildfire9/10
Tornado4/10
Flood4/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalPlatte County Memorial Hospital (5.6 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage88.2%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate4.1%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Platte County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Platte County?
Platte County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 135-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.3°F, and average winter lows of 18.8°F. The established crops are hay, corn, wheat.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $249,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.59%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 88.2% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
How close is healthcare?
Platte County Memorial Hospital is 5.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

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Nearby counties

The closest counties to Platte 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.