Golden Valley County
ND · Pop. 1,679 · Rural County
Golden Valley County sits in North Dakota across 1,001 square miles, home to 1,679 people at 1.7 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, wheat, corn. A median home price of $119,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.93% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 118-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.3°F and average winter lows of 9.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 15.2 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. CHI St Alexius Health Dickinson is 48.5 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 0.93% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $119,000 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 hay, wheat, corn means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 1.7 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- A 118-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 15.2 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- The nearest hospital, CHI St Alexius Health Dickinson, is 48.5 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- A poverty rate of 18% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
- Average winter lows of 9.8°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Golden Valley County, ND is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 40/100
- Median home price
- $119k
- Property tax
- 0.93%
- Growing season
- 118 days (zone 4a)
- Annual rainfall
- 15.2"
- Broadband
- 100%
- Nearest hospital
- CHI St Alexius Health Dickinson, 48.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Golden Valley County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Golden Valley County?
- Golden Valley County is in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 118-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.3°F, and average winter lows of 9.8°F. The established crops are hay, wheat, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $119,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.93%. 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?
- CHI St Alexius Health Dickinson is 48.5 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore North Dakota Resources
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More counties in North Dakota
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The closest counties to Golden Valley 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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