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Dunn County

ND · Pop. 4,043 · Rural County

29/100Homestead Score

Dunn County, North Dakota covers 2,008 square miles with a population of 4,043 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 hay, wheat, corn. The median home price is $244,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.6%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 128-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.7°F and average winter lows of 3.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 15.6 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. CHI St Alexius Health Dickinson is 33.6 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 96.8% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.6%
Growing Season: 128 days
Broadband: 96.8%
Density: 2/sq mi

Pros

  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.6% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • Broadband reaches 96.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • A strong agricultural economy built on hay, wheat, corn means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
  • At 2 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
  • A low unemployment rate of 2.6% reflects a stable local job base.

Cons

  • Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
  • A 128-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
  • Annual rainfall of just 15.6 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
  • The nearest hospital, CHI St Alexius Health Dickinson, is 33.6 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
  • Average winter lows of 3.6°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.

At a glance

Dunn County, ND is a challenging place to homestead on the data.

Homestead score
29/100
Median home price
$244k
Property tax
0.6%
Growing season
128 days (zone 4a)
Annual rainfall
15.6"
Broadband
96.8%
Nearest hospital
CHI St Alexius Health Dickinson, 33.6 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.6%
Median Household Income$94,688
Poverty Rate7.2%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$244K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone4a
Growing Season128 days
Annual Rainfall15.6 inches
Avg Summer High82.7°F
Avg Winter Low3.6°F
Top CropsHay, Wheat, Corn

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought3/10
Wildfire9/10
Tornado3/10
Flood2/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalCHI St Alexius Health Dickinson (33.6 mi)
Emergency RoomNo
Healthcare Facilities0

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage96.8%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate2.6%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Dunn County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Dunn County?
Dunn County is in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 128-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.7°F, and average winter lows of 3.6°F. The established crops are hay, wheat, corn.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $244,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.6%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 96.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
CHI St Alexius Health Dickinson is 33.6 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.

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Nearby counties

The closest counties to Dunn 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.