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Kittson County

MN · Pop. 4,163 · Rural County

57/100Homestead Score

Kittson County, Minnesota covers 1,099 square miles with a population of 4,163 and a density of 3.8 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, soybeans, sugarbeets. The median home price is $134,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.92%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 3b with a 129-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.7°F and average winter lows of -4.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 21.4 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Kittson Memorial Hospital is 7.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.8% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.92%
Growing Season: 129 days
Broadband: 98.8%
Density: 3.8/sq mi

Pros

  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.92% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • A median home price of $134,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 98.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Kittson Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 7.3 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A strong agricultural economy built on wheat, soybeans, sugarbeets means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.

Cons

  • Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
  • A 129-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
  • Annual rainfall of just 21.4 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
  • Average winter lows of -4.6°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.

At a glance

Kittson County, MN is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.

Homestead score
57/100
Median home price
$134k
Property tax
0.92%
Growing season
129 days (zone 3b)
Annual rainfall
21.4"
Broadband
98.8%
Nearest hospital
Kittson Memorial Hospital, 7.3 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.92%
Median Household Income$69,615
Poverty Rate9.7%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$134K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone3b
Growing Season129 days
Annual Rainfall21.4 inches
Avg Summer High77.7°F
Avg Winter Low-4.6°F
Top CropsWheat, Soybeans, Sugarbeets

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought6/10
Wildfire8/10
Tornado2/10
Flood2/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalKittson Memorial Hospital (7.3 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage98.8%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.9%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Kittson County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Kittson County?
Kittson County is in USDA hardiness zone 3b with a 129-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.7°F, and average winter lows of -4.6°F. The established crops are wheat, soybeans, sugarbeets.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $134,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.92%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 98.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Kittson Memorial Hospital is 7.3 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

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Nearby counties

The closest counties to Kittson 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.