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Ramsey County

ND · Pop. 11,563 · Rural County

53/100Homestead Score

Ramsey County is a rural county in North Dakota, spanning 1,185 square miles with 11,563 residents at a density of 9.8 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, soybeans, canola. The median home price is $197,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.94%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 152-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.7°F and average winter lows of 2.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 20.4 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. CHI St Alexius Health Devils Lake is 11.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.2% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.94%
Growing Season: 152 days
Broadband: 97.2%
Density: 9.8/sq mi

Pros

  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.94% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • A median home price of $197,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 97.2% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • CHI St Alexius Health Devils Lake, with an emergency room, is just 11.6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A strong agricultural economy built on wheat, soybeans, canola 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 152-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
  • Annual rainfall of just 20.4 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
  • Average winter lows of 2.2°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.

At a glance

Ramsey County, ND is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.

Homestead score
53/100
Median home price
$197k
Property tax
0.94%
Growing season
152 days (zone 4a)
Annual rainfall
20.4"
Broadband
97.2%
Nearest hospital
CHI St Alexius Health Devils Lake, 11.6 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.94%
Median Household Income$61,319
Poverty Rate16.3%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$197K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone4a
Growing Season152 days
Annual Rainfall20.4 inches
Avg Summer High77.7°F
Avg Winter Low2.2°F
Top CropsWheat, Soybeans, Canola

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought3/10
Wildfire8/10
Tornado3/10
Flood2/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalCHI St Alexius Health Devils Lake (11.6 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage97.2%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate2.5%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Ramsey County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Ramsey County?
Ramsey County is in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 152-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.7°F, and average winter lows of 2.2°F. The established crops are wheat, soybeans, canola.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $197,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.94%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 97.2% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
CHI St Alexius Health Devils Lake is 11.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

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Nearby counties

The closest counties to Ramsey 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.