Boone County
KY · Pop. 137,676 · Urban County
Boone County, Kentucky covers 246 square miles with a population of 137,676 and a density of 559.7 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, soybeans. The median home price is $253,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.9%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 190-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.2°F and average winter lows of 25.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 42.5 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. St Elizabeth Florence is 6.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.4% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very 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 0.9% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 98.4% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- St Elizabeth Florence, with an emergency room, is just 6.9 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.9% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- 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.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
- At 559.7 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Boone County, KY is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 64/100
- Median home price
- $253k
- Property tax
- 0.9%
- Growing season
- 190 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 42.5"
- Broadband
- 98.4%
- Nearest hospital
- St Elizabeth Florence, 6.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Boone County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Boone County?
- Boone County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 190-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.2°F, and average winter lows of 25.2°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, soybeans.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $253,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.9%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.4% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- St Elizabeth Florence is 6.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore Kentucky 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 Kentucky
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The closest counties to Boone 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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