Mercer County
ND · Pop. 8,341 · Rural County
Mercer County sits in North Dakota across 1,043 square miles, home to 8,341 people at 8 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 $196,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.07%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 117-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.3°F and average winter lows of 5.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 17 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Sakakawea Medical Center - Cah is 10.5 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 median home price of $196,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Sakakawea Medical Center - Cah, with an emergency room, is just 10.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on hay, wheat, corn means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 8 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 117-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 17 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- Average winter lows of 5.7°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Mercer County, ND is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 49/100
- Median home price
- $196k
- Property tax
- 1.07%
- Growing season
- 117 days (zone 4a)
- Annual rainfall
- 17"
- Broadband
- 100%
- Nearest hospital
- Sakakawea Medical Center - Cah, 10.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Mercer County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Mercer County?
- Mercer County is in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 117-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.3°F, and average winter lows of 5.7°F. The established crops are hay, wheat, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $196,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.07%. 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?
- Sakakawea Medical Center - Cah is 10.5 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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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in North Dakota
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The closest counties to Mercer 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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