Grand Forks County
ND · Pop. 72,764 · Suburban County
Grand Forks County is a suburban county in North Dakota, spanning 1,436 square miles with 72,764 residents at a density of 50.7 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, soybeans, corn. The median home price is $244,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.13%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 129-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.1°F and average winter lows of 0.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 20.8 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Northwood Deaconess Health Center is 14.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 100% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A strong agricultural economy built on wheat, soybeans, corn means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.3% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A 129-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 20.8 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- Average winter lows of 0.5°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Grand Forks County, ND is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 30/100
- Median home price
- $244k
- Property tax
- 1.13%
- Growing season
- 129 days (zone 4a)
- Annual rainfall
- 20.8"
- Broadband
- 100%
- Nearest hospital
- Northwood Deaconess Health Center, 14.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Grand Forks County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Grand Forks County?
- Grand Forks County is in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 129-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.1°F, and average winter lows of 0.5°F. The established crops are wheat, soybeans, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $244,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.13%. 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?
- Northwood Deaconess Health Center is 14.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 6 hospitals in the county.
Explore North Dakota Resources
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More counties in North Dakota
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The closest counties to Grand Forks 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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