Nicollet County
MN · Pop. 34,350 · Suburban County
Nicollet County is a suburban county in Minnesota, spanning 449 square miles with 34,350 residents at a density of 76.5 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. The median home price is $259,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.12%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 155-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.7°F and average winter lows of 8.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 30.3 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. New Ulm Medical Center is 11.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.7% 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.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 98.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- New Ulm Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 11.8 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 3.2% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 9.6% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A 155-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Average winter lows of 8.8°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Nicollet County, MN is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 44/100
- Median home price
- $259k
- Property tax
- 1.12%
- Growing season
- 155 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 30.3"
- Broadband
- 98.7%
- Nearest hospital
- New Ulm Medical Center, 11.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Nicollet County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Nicollet County?
- Nicollet County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 155-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.7°F, and average winter lows of 8.8°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $259,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.12%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- New Ulm Medical Center is 11.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Minnesota Resources
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More counties in Minnesota
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The closest counties to Nicollet 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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