Cook County
MN · Pop. 5,633 · Rural County
Cook County is a rural county in Minnesota, spanning 1,453 square miles with 5,633 residents at a density of 3.9 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, lettuce, carrots. A median home price of $294,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.79% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 3b with a 137-day growing season, average summer highs of 65.8°F and average winter lows of 9.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 26.7 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. North Shore Health is 0.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 95.5% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.79% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 95.5% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- North Shore Health, with an emergency room, is just 0.2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- At 3.9 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low poverty rate of 11.3% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 137-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Average winter lows of 9.2°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Cook County, MN is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 62/100
- Median home price
- $294k
- Property tax
- 0.79%
- Growing season
- 137 days (zone 3b)
- Annual rainfall
- 26.7"
- Broadband
- 95.5%
- Nearest hospital
- North Shore Health, 0.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Cook County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Cook County?
- Cook County is in USDA hardiness zone 3b with a 137-day growing season, average summer highs of 65.8°F, and average winter lows of 9.2°F. The established crops are hay, lettuce, carrots.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $294,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.79%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 95.5% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- North Shore Health is 0.2 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
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 Minnesota
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The closest counties to Cook 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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