Steele County
MN · Pop. 37,413 · Suburban County
Steele County, Minnesota covers 430 square miles with a population of 37,413 and a density of 87 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. The median home price is $234,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.21%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 150-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.2°F and average winter lows of 8.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 33.6 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Owatonna Hospital is 6.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 100% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Owatonna Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 6.9 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 7.4% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A 150-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Average winter lows of 8.2°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Steele County, MN is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 42/100
- Median home price
- $234k
- Property tax
- 1.21%
- Growing season
- 150 days (zone 4b)
- Annual rainfall
- 33.6"
- Broadband
- 100%
- Nearest hospital
- Owatonna Hospital, 6.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Steele County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Steele County?
- Steele County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 150-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.2°F, and average winter lows of 8.2°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $234,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.21%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Owatonna Hospital is 6.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Minnesota Resources
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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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