Burke County
ND · Pop. 2,163 · Rural County
Burke County, North Dakota covers 1,104 square miles with a population of 2,163 and a density of 2 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, hay, canola. The median home price is $142,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.68%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 115-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.5°F and average winter lows of 0.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 15.3 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Kenmare Community Hospital is 21.3 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 100% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.68% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $142,000 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 wheat, hay, canola means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 2 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- A 115-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 15.3 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- The nearest hospital, Kenmare Community Hospital, is 21.3 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- Average winter lows of 0.1°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Burke County, ND is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 49/100
- Median home price
- $142k
- Property tax
- 0.68%
- Growing season
- 115 days (zone 4a)
- Annual rainfall
- 15.3"
- Broadband
- 100%
- Nearest hospital
- Kenmare Community Hospital, 21.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Burke County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Burke County?
- Burke County is in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 115-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.5°F, and average winter lows of 0.1°F. The established crops are wheat, hay, canola.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $142,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.68%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Kenmare Community Hospital is 21.3 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore North Dakota 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 North Dakota
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The closest counties to Burke 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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