Murray County
MN · Pop. 8,119 · Rural County
Murray County sits in Minnesota across 705 square miles, home to 8,119 people at 11.5 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 $179,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.77%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 148-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.4°F and average winter lows of 7.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 28.8 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Murray County Mem Hospital is 1.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 100% of homes. On the hazard side, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.77% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $179,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Murray County Mem Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 1.6 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.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A 148-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Average winter lows of 7.7°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Murray County, MN is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 75/100
- Median home price
- $179k
- Property tax
- 0.77%
- Growing season
- 148 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 28.8"
- Broadband
- 100%
- Nearest hospital
- Murray County Mem Hospital, 1.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Murray County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Murray County?
- Murray County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 148-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.4°F, and average winter lows of 7.7°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $179,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.77%. 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?
- Murray County Mem Hospital is 1.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
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 Murray 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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