Stearns County
MN · Pop. 159,358 · Mixed County
Stearns County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Minnesota, spanning 1,343 square miles with 159,358 residents at a density of 118.7 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, hay, soybeans. The median home price is $257,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.02%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 159-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.6°F and average winter lows of 8.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 30.5 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Centracare Health Sys Melrose is 13.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 95.6% 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
- Broadband reaches 95.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A strong agricultural economy built on corn, hay, soybeans means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low unemployment rate of 4% reflects a stable local job base.
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 159-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Average winter lows of 8.3°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Stearns County, MN is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 19/100
- Median home price
- $257k
- Property tax
- 1.02%
- Growing season
- 159 days (zone 4b)
- Annual rainfall
- 30.5"
- Broadband
- 95.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Centracare Health Sys Melrose, 13.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Stearns County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Stearns County?
- Stearns County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 159-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.6°F, and average winter lows of 8.3°F. The established crops are corn, hay, soybeans.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $257,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.02%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 95.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Centracare Health Sys Melrose is 13.3 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 4 hospitals in the county.
Explore Minnesota Resources
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LandWatch
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Minnesota
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The closest counties to Stearns 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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