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Morton County

ND · Pop. 33,479 · Rural County

18/100Homestead Score

Morton County is a rural county in North Dakota, spanning 1,926 square miles with 33,479 residents at a density of 17.4 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, hay, corn. The median home price is $250,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.03%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 120-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.4°F and average winter lows of 5.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 16.9 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Sanford Medical Center Bismarck is 25.9 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.03%
Growing Season: 120 days
Broadband: 99.9%
Density: 17.4/sq mi

Pros

  • Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • A strong agricultural economy built on wheat, hay, corn means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
  • At 17.4 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
  • A low unemployment rate of 2.7% reflects a stable local job base.
  • A low poverty rate of 7% signals a relatively stable local economy.

Cons

  • Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
  • A 120-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
  • Annual rainfall of just 16.9 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
  • The nearest hospital, Sanford Medical Center Bismarck, is 25.9 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
  • Average winter lows of 5.9°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.

At a glance

Morton County, ND is a challenging place to homestead on the data.

Homestead score
18/100
Median home price
$250k
Property tax
1.03%
Growing season
120 days (zone 4a)
Annual rainfall
16.9"
Broadband
99.9%
Nearest hospital
Sanford Medical Center Bismarck, 25.9 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.03%
Median Household Income$79,483
Poverty Rate7%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$250K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone4a
Growing Season120 days
Annual Rainfall16.9 inches
Avg Summer High82.4°F
Avg Winter Low5.9°F
Top CropsWheat, Hay, Corn

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought3/10
Wildfire8/10
Tornado6/10
Flood5/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalSanford Medical Center Bismarck (25.9 mi)
Emergency RoomNo
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage99.9%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate2.7%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Morton County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Morton County?
Morton County is in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 120-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.4°F, and average winter lows of 5.9°F. The established crops are wheat, hay, corn.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $250,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.03%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Sanford Medical Center Bismarck is 25.9 miles away, without an in-county emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

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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.