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Sibley County

MN · Pop. 14,933 · Suburban County

60/100Homestead Score

Sibley County sits in Minnesota across 589 square miles, home to 14,933 people at 25.4 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. A median home price of $215,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.1% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 156-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.1°F and average winter lows of 7.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 31.5 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Ridgeview Sibley Medical Ctr is 7.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.2% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.1%
Growing Season: 156 days
Broadband: 99.2%
Density: 25.4/sq mi

Pros

  • Broadband reaches 99.2% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Ridgeview Sibley Medical Ctr, with an emergency room, is just 7.5 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 poverty rate of 9.9% signals a relatively stable local economy.

Cons

  • Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
  • A 156-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
  • Average winter lows of 7.4°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.

At a glance

Sibley County, MN is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.

Homestead score
60/100
Median home price
$215k
Property tax
1.1%
Growing season
156 days (zone 4b)
Annual rainfall
31.5"
Broadband
99.2%
Nearest hospital
Ridgeview Sibley Medical Ctr, 7.5 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.1%
Median Household Income$76,082
Poverty Rate9.9%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$215K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone4b
Growing Season156 days
Annual Rainfall31.5 inches
Avg Summer High80.1°F
Avg Winter Low7.4°F
Top CropsCorn, Soybeans, Hay

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought7/10
Wildfire2/10
Tornado5/10
Flood4/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalRidgeview Sibley Medical Ctr (7.5 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage99.2%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate4.6%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Sibley County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Sibley County?
Sibley County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 156-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.1°F, and average winter lows of 7.4°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $215,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.1%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 99.2% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Ridgeview Sibley Medical Ctr is 7.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

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Nearby counties

The closest counties to Sibley 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.