Ransom County
ND · Pop. 5,662 · Rural County
Ransom County, North Dakota covers 862 square miles with a population of 5,662 and a density of 6.6 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, corn, hay. The median home price is $175,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.05%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 138-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.4°F and average winter lows of 5.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 21.1 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. CHI Lisbon Health is 1.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 100% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $175,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- CHI Lisbon Health, with an emergency room, is just 1.8 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on soybeans, corn, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 6.6 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- A 138-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 21.1 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- Average winter lows of 5.1°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Ransom County, ND is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 65/100
- Median home price
- $175k
- Property tax
- 1.05%
- Growing season
- 138 days (zone 4a)
- Annual rainfall
- 21.1"
- Broadband
- 100%
- Nearest hospital
- CHI Lisbon Health, 1.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Ransom County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Ransom County?
- Ransom County is in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 138-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.4°F, and average winter lows of 5.1°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $175,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.05%. 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?
- CHI Lisbon Health is 1.8 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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AcreTrader
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More counties in North Dakota
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The closest counties to Ransom 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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