Lawrence County
MO · Pop. 38,392 · Suburban County
Lawrence County, Missouri covers 612 square miles with a population of 38,392 and a density of 62.7 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, wheat, haylage. A median home price of $160,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.61% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 180-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.2°F and average winter lows of 23.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 46.3 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Mercy Hospital Aurora is 11.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 94.2% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.61% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $160,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 94.2% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Mercy Hospital Aurora, with an emergency room, is just 11.6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on hay, wheat, haylage means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
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.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
At a glance
Lawrence County, MO is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 70/100
- Median home price
- $160k
- Property tax
- 0.61%
- Growing season
- 180 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 46.3"
- Broadband
- 94.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Mercy Hospital Aurora, 11.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Lawrence County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Lawrence County?
- Lawrence County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 180-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.2°F, and average winter lows of 23.9°F. The established crops are hay, wheat, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $160,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.61%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 94.2% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Mercy Hospital Aurora is 11.6 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 Lawrence 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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