Sherburne County
MN · Pop. 99,178 · Mixed County
Sherburne County, Minnesota covers 433 square miles with a population of 99,178 and a density of 229 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on corn, soybeans, potatoes. A median home price of $333,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 137-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.9°F and average winter lows of 7°F. Annual rainfall averages 31 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Centracare Health Monticello is 10.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 95.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 95.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Centracare Health Monticello, with an emergency room, is just 10.6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low poverty rate of 4.8% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- 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.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A 137-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
At a glance
Sherburne County, MN is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 12/100
- Median home price
- $333k
- Property tax
- 1%
- Growing season
- 137 days (zone 4b)
- Annual rainfall
- 31"
- Broadband
- 95.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Centracare Health Monticello, 10.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Sherburne County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Sherburne County?
- Sherburne County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 137-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.9°F, and average winter lows of 7°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, potatoes.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $333,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 95.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Centracare Health Monticello is 10.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital 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.