St. Louis County
MN · Pop. 200,056 · Suburban County
St. Louis County sits in Minnesota across 6,248 square miles, home to 200,056 people at 32 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, oats. A median home price of $209,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.03% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 3b with a 132-day growing season, average summer highs of 74.4°F and average winter lows of 1.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 27.6 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Essentia Health Virginia is 3.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 84.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Essentia Health Virginia, with an emergency room, is just 3.6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A median household income of $69,455 anchors the local economy.
- Essentia Health Virginia provides the area's nearest hospital care, 3.6 miles away.
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.
- A 132-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Average winter lows of 1.8°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
St. Louis County, MN is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 30/100
- Median home price
- $209k
- Property tax
- 1.03%
- Growing season
- 132 days (zone 3b)
- Annual rainfall
- 27.6"
- Broadband
- 84.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Essentia Health Virginia, 3.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in St. Louis County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in St. Louis County?
- St. Louis County is in USDA hardiness zone 3b with a 132-day growing season, average summer highs of 74.4°F, and average winter lows of 1.8°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, oats.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $209,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.03%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 84.7% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Essentia Health Virginia is 3.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 8 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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The closest counties to St. Louis 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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