Swift County
MN · Pop. 9,787 · Rural County
Swift County is a rural county in Minnesota, spanning 742 square miles with 9,787 residents at a density of 13.2 people 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 $147,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.86% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 143-day growing season, average summer highs of 81°F and average winter lows of 4.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 28.3 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Swift County Benson Hlth Svcs is 4.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.86% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $147,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Swift County Benson Hlth Svcs, with an emergency room, is just 4.8 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.
Cons
- A 143-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Average winter lows of 4.9°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
- Wildfire risk is high, so defensible space and fire preparedness should be part of any build plan.
At a glance
Swift County, MN is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 70/100
- Median home price
- $147k
- Property tax
- 0.86%
- Growing season
- 143 days (zone 4b)
- Annual rainfall
- 28.3"
- Broadband
- 99.9%
- Nearest hospital
- Swift County Benson Hlth Svcs, 4.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Swift County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Swift County?
- Swift County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 143-day growing season, average summer highs of 81°F, and average winter lows of 4.9°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $147,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.86%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Swift County Benson Hlth Svcs is 4.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore Minnesota Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
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More counties in Minnesota
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The closest counties to Swift 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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