Houston County
MN · Pop. 18,768 · Suburban County
Houston County is a suburban county in Minnesota, spanning 552 square miles with 18,768 residents at a density of 34 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on corn, hay, soybeans. A median home price of $226,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.16% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 173-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.7°F and average winter lows of 9.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 36.9 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center is 15.5 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 88.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low unemployment rate of 3.3% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 6.5% signals a relatively stable local economy.
- A median household income of $77,087 anchors the local economy.
Cons
- The nearest hospital, Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, is 15.5 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- Average winter lows of 9.6°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
- Flood risk is high, so low-lying parcels deserve careful evaluation before purchase.
At a glance
Houston County, MN is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 47/100
- Median home price
- $226k
- Property tax
- 1.16%
- Growing season
- 173 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 36.9"
- Broadband
- 88.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, 15.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Houston County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Houston County?
- Houston County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 173-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.7°F, and average winter lows of 9.6°F. The established crops are corn, hay, soybeans.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $226,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.16%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 88.3% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center is 15.5 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
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 Houston 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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