Nelson County
ND · Pop. 3,015 · Rural County
Nelson County sits in North Dakota across 982 square miles, home to 3,015 people at 3.1 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, soybeans, hay. A median home price of $115,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.8% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 133-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.5°F and average winter lows of -0.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 20.2 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Nelson County Health System is 10.6 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 0.8% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $115,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Nelson County Health System, with an emergency room, is just 10.6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on wheat, soybeans, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 133-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 20.2 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- Average winter lows of -0.8°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Nelson County, ND is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 65/100
- Median home price
- $115k
- Property tax
- 0.8%
- Growing season
- 133 days (zone 4a)
- Annual rainfall
- 20.2"
- Broadband
- 100%
- Nearest hospital
- Nelson County Health System, 10.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Nelson County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Nelson County?
- Nelson County is in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 133-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.5°F, and average winter lows of -0.8°F. The established crops are wheat, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $115,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.8%. 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?
- Nelson County Health System is 10.6 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 Nelson 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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