Yellow Medicine County
MN · Pop. 9,509 · Rural County
Yellow Medicine County sits in Minnesota across 759 square miles, home to 9,509 people at 12.5 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 $148,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.04% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 145-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.4°F and average winter lows of 5.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 26.2 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Avera Granite Falls is 16.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 100% of homes. On the hazard side, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $148,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A strong agricultural economy built on corn, soybeans, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 12.5 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low poverty rate of 8.5% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A 145-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Average winter lows of 5.4°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Yellow Medicine County, MN is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 58/100
- Median home price
- $148k
- Property tax
- 1.04%
- Growing season
- 145 days (zone 4b)
- Annual rainfall
- 26.2"
- Broadband
- 100%
- Nearest hospital
- Avera Granite Falls, 16.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Yellow Medicine County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Yellow Medicine County?
- Yellow Medicine County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 145-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.4°F, and average winter lows of 5.4°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $148,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.04%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Avera Granite Falls is 16.9 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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AcreTrader
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More counties in Minnesota
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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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