Brown County
MN · Pop. 25,826 · Suburban County
Brown County, Minnesota covers 611 square miles with a population of 25,826 and a density of 42.3 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. The median home price is $182,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.04%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 148-day growing season, average summer highs of 81°F and average winter lows of 7.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 28.6 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Sleepy Eye Medical Center is 3.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 96.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $182,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 96.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Sleepy Eye Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 3.7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on corn, soybeans, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.9% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A 148-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Average winter lows of 7.2°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Brown County, MN is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 59/100
- Median home price
- $182k
- Property tax
- 1.04%
- Growing season
- 148 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 28.6"
- Broadband
- 96.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Sleepy Eye Medical Center, 3.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Brown County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Brown County?
- Brown County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 148-day growing season, average summer highs of 81°F, and average winter lows of 7.2°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $182,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.04%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 96.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Sleepy Eye Medical Center is 3.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore Minnesota 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 Minnesota
All Minnesota countiesNearby counties
The closest counties to Brown 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.