Pierce County
ND · Pop. 3,961 · Rural County
Pierce County sits in North Dakota across 1,018 square miles, home to 3,961 people at 3.9 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, soybeans, hay. The median home price is $143,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.03%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 3b with a 134-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.4°F and average winter lows of -1.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 19.6 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Heart of America Medical Center is 8.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $143,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Heart of America Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 8.7 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.
- At 3.9 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- A 134-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 19.6 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- Average winter lows of -1.3°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Pierce County, ND is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 57/100
- Median home price
- $143k
- Property tax
- 1.03%
- Growing season
- 134 days (zone 3b)
- Annual rainfall
- 19.6"
- Broadband
- 99.9%
- Nearest hospital
- Heart of America Medical Center, 8.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Pierce County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Pierce County?
- Pierce County is in USDA hardiness zone 3b with a 134-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.4°F, and average winter lows of -1.3°F. The established crops are wheat, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $143,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.03%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Heart of America Medical Center is 8.7 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
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
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More counties in North Dakota
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The closest counties to Pierce 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.