Faribault County
MN · Pop. 13,909 · Rural County
Faribault County is a rural county in Minnesota, spanning 712 square miles with 13,909 residents at a density of 19.5 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, sweet corn. A median home price of $120,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.05% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 158-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.7°F and average winter lows of 8.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 32.8 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. United Hospital District is 8.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $120,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 99.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- United Hospital District, with an emergency room, is just 8.2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on corn, soybeans, sweet corn means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 19.5 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A 158-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Average winter lows of 8.7°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Faribault County, MN is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 66/100
- Median home price
- $120k
- Property tax
- 1.05%
- Growing season
- 158 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 32.8"
- Broadband
- 99.7%
- Nearest hospital
- United Hospital District, 8.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Faribault County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Faribault County?
- Faribault County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 158-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.7°F, and average winter lows of 8.7°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, sweet corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $120,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.05%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- United Hospital District is 8.2 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
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Minnesota
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The closest counties to Faribault 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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