Skip to content
Submit

Benson County

ND · Pop. 5,861 · Rural County

43/100Homestead Score

Benson County is a rural county in North Dakota, spanning 1,389 square miles with 5,861 residents at a density of 4.2 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, soybeans, hay. A median home price of $83,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.87% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 129-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.7°F and average winter lows of 0.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 18.8 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. CHI St Alexius Health Devils Lake is 23.4 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.87%
Growing Season: 129 days
Broadband: 99.9%
Density: 4.2/sq mi

Pros

  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.87% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • A median home price of $83,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • A strong agricultural economy built on wheat, soybeans, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
  • At 4.2 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.

Cons

  • Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
  • A 129-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
  • Annual rainfall of just 18.8 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
  • The nearest hospital, CHI St Alexius Health Devils Lake, is 23.4 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
  • A poverty rate of 22.2% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.

At a glance

Benson County, ND is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.

Homestead score
43/100
Median home price
$83k
Property tax
0.87%
Growing season
129 days (zone 4a)
Annual rainfall
18.8"
Broadband
99.9%
Nearest hospital
CHI St Alexius Health Devils Lake, 23.4 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.87%
Median Household Income$68,049
Poverty Rate22.2%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$83K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone4a
Growing Season129 days
Annual Rainfall18.8 inches
Avg Summer High77.7°F
Avg Winter Low0.8°F
Top CropsWheat, Soybeans, Hay

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought4/10
Wildfire9/10
Tornado3/10
Flood1/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalCHI St Alexius Health Devils Lake (23.4 mi)
Emergency RoomNo
Healthcare Facilities0

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage99.9%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.5%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Benson County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Benson County?
Benson County is in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 129-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.7°F, and average winter lows of 0.8°F. The established crops are wheat, soybeans, hay.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $83,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.87%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
CHI St Alexius Health Devils Lake is 23.4 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.

Explore North Dakota Resources

Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you

LandWatch

Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.

Browse Land Listings

Lands of America

The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.

Search Rural Properties

AcreTrader

Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.

Explore Farmland Investments

More counties in North Dakota

All North Dakota counties

Nearby counties

The closest counties to Benson 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.