Wabasha County
MN · Pop. 21,519 · Suburban County
Wabasha County is a suburban county in Minnesota, spanning 523 square miles with 21,519 residents at a density of 41.1 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. The median home price is $246,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.09%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 138-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.3°F and average winter lows of 7.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 33.5 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. St. Elizabeths Medical Center is 11.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 91.8% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 91.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- St. Elizabeths Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 11.4 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 unemployment rate of 3.7% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 8.4% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- 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 138-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Average winter lows of 7.1°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Wabasha County, MN is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 45/100
- Median home price
- $246k
- Property tax
- 1.09%
- Growing season
- 138 days (zone 4b)
- Annual rainfall
- 33.5"
- Broadband
- 91.8%
- Nearest hospital
- St. Elizabeths Medical Center, 11.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Wabasha County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Wabasha County?
- Wabasha County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 138-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.3°F, and average winter lows of 7.1°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $246,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.09%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 91.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- St. Elizabeths Medical Center is 11.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital 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 Wabasha 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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