Goodhue County
MN · Pop. 47,844 · Suburban County
Goodhue County is a suburban county in Minnesota, spanning 757 square miles with 47,844 residents at a density of 63.2 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. A median home price of $269,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.06% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 133-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.6°F and average winter lows of 5.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 34 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Mayo Clinic Health Sys Cf is 10.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 96.2% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 96.2% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Mayo Clinic Health Sys Cf, with an emergency room, is just 10.8 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.
- A low poverty rate of 9.3% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- A 133-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Average winter lows of 5.9°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Goodhue County, MN is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 41/100
- Median home price
- $269k
- Property tax
- 1.06%
- Growing season
- 133 days (zone 4b)
- Annual rainfall
- 34"
- Broadband
- 96.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Mayo Clinic Health Sys Cf, 10.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Goodhue County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Goodhue County?
- Goodhue County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 133-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.6°F, and average winter lows of 5.9°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $269,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.06%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 96.2% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Mayo Clinic Health Sys Cf is 10.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 3 hospitals in the county.
Explore Minnesota Resources
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More counties in Minnesota
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The closest counties to Goodhue 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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