Marshall County
MN · Pop. 8,961 · Rural County
Marshall County sits in Minnesota across 1,775 square miles, home to 8,961 people at 5 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 $153,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.83%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 3b with a 139-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.3°F and average winter lows of -0.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 23.1 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Sanford Med Ctr Thief Rvr Fall is 19.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.3% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.83% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $153,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 98.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A strong agricultural economy built on wheat, soybeans, sugarbeets means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 5 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A 139-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Average winter lows of -0.7°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Marshall County, MN is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 43/100
- Median home price
- $153k
- Property tax
- 0.83%
- Growing season
- 139 days (zone 3b)
- Annual rainfall
- 23.1"
- Broadband
- 98.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Sanford Med Ctr Thief Rvr Fall, 19.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Marshall County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Marshall County?
- Marshall County is in USDA hardiness zone 3b with a 139-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.3°F, and average winter lows of -0.7°F. The established crops are wheat, soybeans, sugarbeets.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $153,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.83%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Sanford Med Ctr Thief Rvr Fall is 19.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Minnesota Resources
Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in Minnesota
All Minnesota countiesNearby counties
The closest counties to Marshall 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.
Your brand here — Reach our audience of professional directory owners and boost your sales.