Madison County
MO · Pop. 12,665 · Suburban County
Madison County sits in Missouri across 494 square miles, home to 12,665 people at 25.6 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 $156,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.74% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 172-day growing season, average summer highs of 87°F and average winter lows of 23°F. Annual rainfall averages 45.8 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Madison Medical Center is 6.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 83.6% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.74% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $156,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Madison Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 6.2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- Annual rainfall of 45.8 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
Cons
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
- Flood risk is high, so low-lying parcels deserve careful evaluation before purchase.
At a glance
Madison County, MO is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 89/100
- Median home price
- $156k
- Property tax
- 0.74%
- Growing season
- 172 days (zone 6b)
- Annual rainfall
- 45.8"
- Broadband
- 83.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Madison Medical Center, 6.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Madison County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Madison County?
- Madison County is in USDA hardiness zone 6b with a 172-day growing season, average summer highs of 87°F, and average winter lows of 23°F. The established crops are hay, soybeans, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $156,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.74%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 83.6% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Madison Medical Center is 6.2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Missouri Resources
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LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in Missouri
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The closest counties to Madison 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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