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Pennington County

MN · Pop. 13,877 · Rural County

40/100Homestead Score

Pennington County sits in Minnesota across 617 square miles, home to 13,877 people at 22.5 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, soybeans, hay. The median home price is $189,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.22%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 130-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.6°F and average winter lows of 0.8°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 7.1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.6% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.22%
Growing Season: 130 days
Broadband: 99.6%
Density: 22.5/sq mi

Pros

  • A median home price of $189,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 99.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Sanford Med Ctr Thief Rvr Fall, with an emergency room, is just 7.1 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A strong agricultural economy built on wheat, soybeans, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
  • At 22.5 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.
  • 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 130-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
  • Average winter lows of 0.8°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.

At a glance

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

Homestead score
40/100
Median home price
$189k
Property tax
1.22%
Growing season
130 days (zone 4a)
Annual rainfall
23.1"
Broadband
99.6%
Nearest hospital
Sanford Med Ctr Thief Rvr Fall, 7.1 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.22%
Median Household Income$72,561
Poverty Rate9.9%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$189K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone4a
Growing Season130 days
Annual Rainfall23.1 inches
Avg Summer High78.6°F
Avg Winter Low0.8°F
Top CropsWheat, Soybeans, Hay

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought8/10
Wildfire9/10
Tornado3/10
Flood7/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalSanford Med Ctr Thief Rvr Fall (7.1 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities2

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage99.6%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate5.7%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Pennington County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Pennington County?
Pennington County is in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 130-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.6°F, and average winter lows of 0.8°F. The established crops are wheat, soybeans, hay.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $189,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.22%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 99.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Sanford Med Ctr Thief Rvr Fall is 7.1 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 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.