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Olmsted County

MN · Pop. 163,425 · Mixed County

28/100Homestead Score

Olmsted County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Minnesota, spanning 654 square miles with 163,425 residents at a density of 249.9 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. The median home price is $305,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.09%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 159-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.4°F and average winter lows of 10.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 34 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Olmsted Medical Center is 2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.8% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.09%
Growing Season: 159 days
Broadband: 99.8%
Density: 249.9/sq mi

Pros

  • Broadband reaches 99.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Olmsted Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 2 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 3.1% reflects a stable local job base.
  • A low poverty rate of 7.9% signals a relatively stable local economy.

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.
  • A 159-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
  • Average winter lows of 10.8°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
  • At 249.9 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.

At a glance

Olmsted County, MN is a challenging place to homestead on the data.

Homestead score
28/100
Median home price
$305k
Property tax
1.09%
Growing season
159 days (zone 4b)
Annual rainfall
34"
Broadband
99.8%
Nearest hospital
Olmsted Medical Center, 2 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.09%
Median Household Income$93,494
Poverty Rate7.9%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$305K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone4b
Growing Season159 days
Annual Rainfall34 inches
Avg Summer High79.4°F
Avg Winter Low10.8°F
Top CropsCorn, Soybeans, Hay

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought6/10
Wildfire3/10
Tornado9/10
Flood9/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalOlmsted Medical Center (2 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities4

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage99.8%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.1%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Olmsted County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Olmsted County?
Olmsted County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 159-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.4°F, and average winter lows of 10.8°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $305,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.09%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 99.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Olmsted Medical Center is 2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 4 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.