Scott County
MN · Pop. 152,957 · Mixed County
Scott County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Minnesota, spanning 356 square miles with 152,957 residents at a density of 429.7 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on corn, soybeans, hay. A median home price of $394,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.07% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 145-day growing season, average summer highs of 79°F and average winter lows of 7.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 31 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Mchs New Prague is 7.6 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, wildfire risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 99.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Mchs New Prague, with an emergency room, is just 7.6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.4% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 4.1% 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 145-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- A median home price of $394,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- Average winter lows of 7.1°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Scott County, MN is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 18/100
- Median home price
- $394k
- Property tax
- 1.07%
- Growing season
- 145 days (zone 4b)
- Annual rainfall
- 31"
- Broadband
- 99.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Mchs New Prague, 7.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Scott County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Scott County?
- Scott County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 145-day growing season, average summer highs of 79°F, and average winter lows of 7.1°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $394,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.07%. 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?
- Mchs New Prague is 7.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals 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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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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