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Mower County

MN · Pop. 40,069 · Suburban County

41/100Homestead Score

Mower County, Minnesota covers 711 square miles with a population of 40,069 and a density of 56.4 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, sweet corn. A median home price of $172,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.06% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 145-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.2°F and average winter lows of 8.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 35.4 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Mayo Clinic Health Sys Austin is 10.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 100% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.06%
Growing Season: 145 days
Broadband: 100%
Density: 56.4/sq mi

Pros

  • A median home price of $172,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 100% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Mayo Clinic Health Sys Austin, with an emergency room, is just 10.9 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A strong agricultural economy built on corn, soybeans, sweet corn means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
  • A low unemployment rate of 3.7% reflects a stable local job base.

Cons

  • Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
  • Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
  • Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
  • A 145-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
  • Average winter lows of 8.2°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.

At a glance

Mower County, MN is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.

Homestead score
41/100
Median home price
$172k
Property tax
1.06%
Growing season
145 days (zone 4b)
Annual rainfall
35.4"
Broadband
100%
Nearest hospital
Mayo Clinic Health Sys Austin, 10.9 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.06%
Median Household Income$71,495
Poverty Rate12.1%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$172K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone4b
Growing Season145 days
Annual Rainfall35.4 inches
Avg Summer High78.2°F
Avg Winter Low8.2°F
Top CropsCorn, Soybeans, Sweet corn

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought10/10
Wildfire2/10
Tornado9/10
Flood8/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalMayo Clinic Health Sys Austin (10.9 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage100%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.7%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Mower County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Mower County?
Mower County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 145-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.2°F, and average winter lows of 8.2°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, sweet corn.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $172,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.06%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 100% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Mayo Clinic Health Sys Austin is 10.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital 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.