Dodge County
MN · Pop. 20,962 · Suburban County
Dodge County, Minnesota covers 439 square miles with a population of 20,962 and a density of 47.7 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. A median home price of $268,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.08% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 134-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.5°F and average winter lows of 6.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 33.9 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Mayo Clinic Hospital Rochester is 19.2 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 100% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A strong agricultural economy built on corn, soybeans, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.8% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 5.4% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A 134-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- The nearest hospital, Mayo Clinic Hospital Rochester, is 19.2 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- Average winter lows of 6.6°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Dodge County, MN is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 37/100
- Median home price
- $268k
- Property tax
- 1.08%
- Growing season
- 134 days (zone 4b)
- Annual rainfall
- 33.9"
- Broadband
- 100%
- Nearest hospital
- Mayo Clinic Hospital Rochester, 19.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Dodge County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Dodge County?
- Dodge County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 134-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.5°F, and average winter lows of 6.6°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $268,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.08%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Mayo Clinic Hospital Rochester is 19.2 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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