Clearwater County
MN · Pop. 8,579 · Rural County
Clearwater County sits in Minnesota across 999 square miles, home to 8,579 people at 8.6 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, soybeans, wild rice. A median home price of $177,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.73% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 3b with a 126-day growing season, average summer highs of 76.9°F and average winter lows of -0.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 25.5 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Sanford Bagley Medical Center is 3.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.7% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.73% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $177,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 98.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Sanford Bagley Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 3.7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- At 8.6 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A 126-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Average winter lows of -0.9°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Clearwater County, MN is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 61/100
- Median home price
- $177k
- Property tax
- 0.73%
- Growing season
- 126 days (zone 3b)
- Annual rainfall
- 25.5"
- Broadband
- 98.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Sanford Bagley Medical Center, 3.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Clearwater County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Clearwater County?
- Clearwater County is in USDA hardiness zone 3b with a 126-day growing season, average summer highs of 76.9°F, and average winter lows of -0.9°F. The established crops are hay, soybeans, wild rice.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $177,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.73%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Sanford Bagley Medical Center is 3.7 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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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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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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