Becker County
MN · Pop. 35,260 · Suburban County
Becker County sits in Minnesota across 1,315 square miles, home to 35,260 people at 26.8 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, corn, hay. A median home price of $267,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.73% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 140-day growing season, average summer highs of 76.2°F and average winter lows of -1.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 26.4 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Essentia Health St Marys is 9.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 89.1% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.73% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Essentia Health St Marys, with an emergency room, is just 9.8 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on soybeans, corn, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low poverty rate of 11% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 140-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Average winter lows of -1.1°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Becker County, MN is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 43/100
- Median home price
- $267k
- Property tax
- 0.73%
- Growing season
- 140 days (zone 4a)
- Annual rainfall
- 26.4"
- Broadband
- 89.1%
- Nearest hospital
- Essentia Health St Marys, 9.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Becker County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Becker County?
- Becker County is in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 140-day growing season, average summer highs of 76.2°F, and average winter lows of -1.1°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $267,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.73%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 89.1% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Essentia Health St Marys is 9.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Minnesota Resources
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LandWatch
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More counties in Minnesota
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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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