Steele County
ND · Pop. 1,731 · Rural County
Steele County, North Dakota covers 712 square miles with a population of 1,731 and a density of 2.4 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, wheat, corn. A median home price of $120,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.95% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 133-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.7°F and average winter lows of -1.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 19.8 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Cooperstown Medical Center is 18.7 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 100% of homes.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.95% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $120,000 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, wheat, corn means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 2.4 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- A 133-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 19.8 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- The nearest hospital, Cooperstown Medical Center, is 18.7 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- Average winter lows of -1.1°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Steele County, ND is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 55/100
- Median home price
- $120k
- Property tax
- 0.95%
- Growing season
- 133 days (zone 4a)
- Annual rainfall
- 19.8"
- Broadband
- 100%
- Nearest hospital
- Cooperstown Medical Center, 18.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Steele County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Steele County?
- Steele County is in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 133-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.7°F, and average winter lows of -1.1°F. The established crops are soybeans, wheat, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $120,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.95%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Cooperstown Medical Center is 18.7 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
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 Steele 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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