Hettinger County
ND · Pop. 2,453 · Rural County
Hettinger County is a rural county in North Dakota, spanning 1,132 square miles with 2,453 residents at a density of 2.2 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, canola, hay. A median home price of $111,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.13% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 124-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.2°F and average winter lows of 6°F. Annual rainfall averages 16.6 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Jacobson Memorial Hospital Care Center is 29.3 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 median home price of $111,000 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, canola, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 2.2 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.2% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- A 124-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 16.6 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- The nearest hospital, Jacobson Memorial Hospital Care Center, is 29.3 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- Average winter lows of 6°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Hettinger County, ND is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 37/100
- Median home price
- $111k
- Property tax
- 1.13%
- Growing season
- 124 days (zone 4a)
- Annual rainfall
- 16.6"
- Broadband
- 100%
- Nearest hospital
- Jacobson Memorial Hospital Care Center, 29.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Hettinger County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Hettinger County?
- Hettinger County is in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 124-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.2°F, and average winter lows of 6°F. The established crops are wheat, canola, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $111,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.13%. 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?
- Jacobson Memorial Hospital Care Center is 29.3 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore North Dakota Resources
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LandWatch
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AcreTrader
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More counties in North Dakota
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The closest counties to Hettinger 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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