McKenzie County
ND · Pop. 14,280 · Rural County
McKenzie County is a rural county in North Dakota, spanning 2,760 square miles with 14,280 residents at a density of 5.2 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, hay, corn. A median home price of $357,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.41% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 122-day growing season, average summer highs of 81°F and average winter lows of 4.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 14.7 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Mckenzie County Healthcare Systems Inc is 7.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 100% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.41% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Mckenzie County Healthcare Systems Inc, with an emergency room, is just 7.2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on wheat, hay, corn means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 5.2 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 122-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 14.7 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- A median home price of $357,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- Average winter lows of 4.7°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
McKenzie County, ND is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 45/100
- Median home price
- $357k
- Property tax
- 0.41%
- Growing season
- 122 days (zone 4a)
- Annual rainfall
- 14.7"
- Broadband
- 100%
- Nearest hospital
- Mckenzie County Healthcare Systems Inc, 7.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in McKenzie County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in McKenzie County?
- McKenzie County is in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 122-day growing season, average summer highs of 81°F, and average winter lows of 4.7°F. The established crops are wheat, hay, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $357,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.41%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Mckenzie County Healthcare Systems Inc is 7.2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore North Dakota Resources
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LandWatch
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More counties in North Dakota
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The closest counties to McKenzie 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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