Richland County
ND · Pop. 16,550 · Rural County
Richland County is a rural county in North Dakota, spanning 1,436 square miles with 16,550 residents at a density of 11.5 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, corn, wheat. A median home price of $178,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.13% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 139-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.7°F and average winter lows of 4.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 23.3 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. St. Francis Medical Center is 16.8 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 100% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $178,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A strong agricultural economy built on soybeans, corn, wheat means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 11.5 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.8% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- A 139-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- The nearest hospital, St. Francis Medical Center, is 16.8 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- Average winter lows of 4.8°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Richland County, ND is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 43/100
- Median home price
- $178k
- Property tax
- 1.13%
- Growing season
- 139 days (zone 4a)
- Annual rainfall
- 23.3"
- Broadband
- 100%
- Nearest hospital
- St. Francis Medical Center, 16.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Richland County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Richland County?
- Richland County is in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 139-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.7°F, and average winter lows of 4.8°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $178,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.13%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- St. Francis Medical Center is 16.8 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore North Dakota Resources
Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in North Dakota
All North Dakota countiesNearby counties
The closest counties to Richland 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.
Your brand here — Reach our audience of professional directory owners and boost your sales.