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Lyon County

MN · Pop. 25,498 · Suburban County

59/100Homestead Score

Lyon County sits in Minnesota across 714 square miles, home to 25,498 people at 35.7 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. The median home price is $193,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.05%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 149-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.7°F and average winter lows of 7.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 28.3 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Avera Marshall Reg Med Center is 4.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 100% 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.

Property Tax: 1.05%
Growing Season: 149 days
Broadband: 100%
Density: 35.7/sq mi

Pros

  • A median home price of $193,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 100% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Avera Marshall Reg Med Center, with an emergency room, is just 4.4 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

  • Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
  • A 149-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
  • Average winter lows of 7.4°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.

At a glance

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

Homestead score
59/100
Median home price
$193k
Property tax
1.05%
Growing season
149 days (zone 5a)
Annual rainfall
28.3"
Broadband
100%
Nearest hospital
Avera Marshall Reg Med Center, 4.4 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.05%
Median Household Income$72,761
Poverty Rate12.5%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$193K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone5a
Growing Season149 days
Annual Rainfall28.3 inches
Avg Summer High81.7°F
Avg Winter Low7.4°F
Top CropsCorn, Soybeans, Hay

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought8/10
Wildfire2/10
Tornado5/10
Flood6/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalAvera Marshall Reg Med Center (4.4 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities2

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage100%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.9%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Lyon County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Lyon County?
Lyon County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 149-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.7°F, and average winter lows of 7.4°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $193,000 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 100% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Avera Marshall Reg Med Center is 4.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.

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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.