Freeborn County
MN · Pop. 30,752 · Suburban County
Freeborn County sits in Minnesota across 707 square miles, home to 30,752 people at 43.5 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. The median home price is $165,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.06%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 160-day growing season, average summer highs of 80°F and average winter lows of 8.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 34.1 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Mayo Clinic Albert Lea Austin is 1.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 100% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $165,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Mayo Clinic Albert Lea Austin, with an emergency room, is just 1.9 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on corn, soybeans, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.9% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A 160-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Average winter lows of 8.6°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Freeborn County, MN is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 58/100
- Median home price
- $165k
- Property tax
- 1.06%
- Growing season
- 160 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 34.1"
- Broadband
- 100%
- Nearest hospital
- Mayo Clinic Albert Lea Austin, 1.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Freeborn County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Freeborn County?
- Freeborn County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 160-day growing season, average summer highs of 80°F, and average winter lows of 8.6°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $165,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.06%. 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 Albert Lea Austin is 1.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Minnesota Resources
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More counties in Minnesota
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The closest counties to Freeborn 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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