Big Stone County
MN · Pop. 5,152 · Rural County
Big Stone County sits in Minnesota across 499 square miles, home to 5,152 people at 10.3 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 $136,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.86% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 158-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.5°F and average winter lows of 6.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 25 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Ortonville Area Health Service is 7.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.2% of homes.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.86% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $136,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 98.2% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Ortonville Area Health Service, with an emergency room, is just 7.5 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.
Cons
- A 158-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Average winter lows of 6.6°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
- At 10.3 people per square mile, services, labor, and suppliers are spread thin.
At a glance
Big Stone County, MN is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 77/100
- Median home price
- $136k
- Property tax
- 0.86%
- Growing season
- 158 days (zone 4b)
- Annual rainfall
- 25"
- Broadband
- 98.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Ortonville Area Health Service, 7.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Big Stone County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Big Stone County?
- Big Stone County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 158-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.5°F, and average winter lows of 6.6°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $136,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.86%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.2% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Ortonville Area Health Service is 7.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore Minnesota 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 Minnesota
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The closest counties to Big Stone 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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