Oliver County
ND · Pop. 1,821 · Rural County
Oliver County is a rural county in North Dakota, spanning 722 square miles with 1,821 residents at a density of 2.5 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, hay, corn. A median home price of $217,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.63% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 136-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.3°F and average winter lows of 7.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 18.5 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Sakakawea Medical Center - Cah is 18.1 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 100% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.63% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 100% 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 2.5 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.7% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- A 136-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 18.5 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- The nearest hospital, Sakakawea Medical Center - Cah, is 18.1 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- Average winter lows of 7.3°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Oliver County, ND is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 52/100
- Median home price
- $217k
- Property tax
- 0.63%
- Growing season
- 136 days (zone 4a)
- Annual rainfall
- 18.5"
- Broadband
- 100%
- Nearest hospital
- Sakakawea Medical Center - Cah, 18.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Oliver County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Oliver County?
- Oliver County is in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 136-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.3°F, and average winter lows of 7.3°F. The established crops are wheat, hay, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $217,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.63%. 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?
- Sakakawea Medical Center - Cah is 18.1 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore North Dakota Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in North Dakota
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The closest counties to Oliver 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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