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Walsh County

ND · Pop. 10,488 · Rural County

59/100Homestead Score

Walsh County sits in North Dakota across 1,282 square miles, home to 10,488 people at 8.2 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, soybeans, beans. A median home price of $126,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.11% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 149-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.1°F and average winter lows of 3.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 20 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. First Care Health Center is 1.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 100% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.11%
Growing Season: 149 days
Broadband: 100%
Density: 8.2/sq mi

Pros

  • A median home price of $126,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 100% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • First Care Health Center, with an emergency room, is just 1.9 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A strong agricultural economy built on wheat, soybeans, beans means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
  • At 8.2 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.

Cons

  • Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
  • A 149-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
  • Annual rainfall of just 20 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
  • Average winter lows of 3.6°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.

At a glance

Walsh County, ND is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.

Homestead score
59/100
Median home price
$126k
Property tax
1.11%
Growing season
149 days (zone 4a)
Annual rainfall
20"
Broadband
100%
Nearest hospital
First Care Health Center, 1.9 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.11%
Median Household Income$69,976
Poverty Rate10.5%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$126K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone4a
Growing Season149 days
Annual Rainfall20 inches
Avg Summer High80.1°F
Avg Winter Low3.6°F
Top CropsWheat, Soybeans, Beans

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought3/10
Wildfire8/10
Tornado5/10
Flood4/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalFirst Care Health Center (1.9 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities2

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage100%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.4%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Walsh County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Walsh County?
Walsh County is in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 149-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.1°F, and average winter lows of 3.6°F. The established crops are wheat, soybeans, beans.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $126,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.11%. 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?
First Care Health Center is 1.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.

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Nearby counties

The closest counties to Walsh 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.