Washington County
MN · Pop. 272,298 · Urban County
Washington County is an urban county in Minnesota, spanning 385 square miles with 272,298 residents at a density of 707.3 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on corn, soybeans, hay. A median home price of $401,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 170-day growing season, average summer highs of 79°F and average winter lows of 6.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 33.4 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Lakeview Memorial Hospital is 3.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.2% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 98.2% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Lakeview Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 3.6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.4% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 5% signals a relatively stable local economy.
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 median home price of $401,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- Average winter lows of 6.3°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Washington County, MN is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 29/100
- Median home price
- $401k
- Property tax
- 1%
- Growing season
- 170 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 33.4"
- Broadband
- 98.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Lakeview Memorial Hospital, 3.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Washington County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Washington County?
- Washington County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 170-day growing season, average summer highs of 79°F, and average winter lows of 6.3°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $401,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.2% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Lakeview Memorial Hospital is 3.6 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
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Minnesota
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The closest counties to Washington 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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