Winona County
MN · Pop. 49,705 · Suburban County
Winona County is a suburban county in Minnesota, spanning 626 square miles with 49,705 residents at a density of 79.4 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, hay, soybeans. The median home price is $223,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.94%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 174-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.5°F and average winter lows of 13.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 35.1 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Winona Health Services is 8.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 94.9% 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
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.94% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 94.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Winona Health Services, with an emergency room, is just 8.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on corn, hay, soybeans means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.2% reflects a stable local job base.
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.
- Average winter lows of 13.7°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Winona County, MN is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 49/100
- Median home price
- $223k
- Property tax
- 0.94%
- Growing season
- 174 days (zone 4b)
- Annual rainfall
- 35.1"
- Broadband
- 94.9%
- Nearest hospital
- Winona Health Services, 8.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Winona County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Winona County?
- Winona County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 174-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.5°F, and average winter lows of 13.7°F. The established crops are corn, hay, soybeans.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $223,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.94%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 94.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Winona Health Services is 8.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
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More counties in Minnesota
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The closest counties to Winona 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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