Wadena County
MN · Pop. 14,135 · Suburban County
Wadena County, Minnesota covers 536 square miles with a population of 14,135 and a density of 26.4 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on corn, hay, soybeans. A median home price of $171,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.04% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 138-day growing season, average summer highs of 76.4°F and average winter lows of 1.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 27.6 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Tri County Hospital is 12 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.4% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $171,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 99.4% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Tri County Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 12 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low poverty rate of 11.4% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 138-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Average winter lows of 1.4°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Wadena County, MN is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 55/100
- Median home price
- $171k
- Property tax
- 1.04%
- Growing season
- 138 days (zone 4a)
- Annual rainfall
- 27.6"
- Broadband
- 99.4%
- Nearest hospital
- Tri County Hospital, 12 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Wadena County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Wadena County?
- Wadena County is in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 138-day growing season, average summer highs of 76.4°F, and average winter lows of 1.4°F. The established crops are corn, hay, soybeans.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $171,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.04%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.4% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Tri County Hospital is 12 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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More counties in Minnesota
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The closest counties to Wadena 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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