Benton County
MN · Pop. 41,458 · Mixed County
Benton County, Minnesota covers 408 square miles with a population of 41,458 and a density of 101.6 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on corn, soybeans, hay. The median home price is $247,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.02%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 137-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.8°F and average winter lows of 3.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 29.7 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. St. Cloud Hospital is 11.9 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 91.6% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 91.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A low poverty rate of 9.8% signals a relatively stable local economy.
- A median household income of $71,480 anchors the local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- 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.
- A 137-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- The nearest hospital, St. Cloud Hospital, is 11.9 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Benton County, MN is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 18/100
- Median home price
- $247k
- Property tax
- 1.02%
- Growing season
- 137 days (zone 4a)
- Annual rainfall
- 29.7"
- Broadband
- 91.6%
- Nearest hospital
- St. Cloud Hospital, 11.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Benton County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Benton County?
- Benton County is in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 137-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.8°F, and average winter lows of 3.4°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $247,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.02%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 91.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- St. Cloud Hospital is 11.9 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Minnesota Resources
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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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