Rock County
MN · Pop. 9,628 · Rural County
Rock County is a rural county in Minnesota, spanning 482 square miles with 9,628 residents at a density of 20 people 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 $202,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.72%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 149-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.1°F and average winter lows of 9.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 29.5 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Sanford Luverne Medical Center is 2.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.9% of homes. On the hazard side, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.72% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 98.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Sanford Luverne Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 2.6 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.
- At 20 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- A 149-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Average winter lows of 9.6°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Rock County, MN is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 79/100
- Median home price
- $202k
- Property tax
- 0.72%
- Growing season
- 149 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 29.5"
- Broadband
- 98.9%
- Nearest hospital
- Sanford Luverne Medical Center, 2.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Rock County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Rock County?
- Rock County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 149-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.1°F, and average winter lows of 9.6°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $202,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.72%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Sanford Luverne Medical Center is 2.6 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
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
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More counties in Minnesota
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The closest counties to Rock 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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