Stark County
ND · Pop. 33,116 · Rural County
Stark County is a rural county in North Dakota, spanning 1,335 square miles with 33,116 residents at a density of 24.8 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, hay, sunflower. The median home price is $260,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.92%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 127-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.7°F and average winter lows of 8°F. Annual rainfall averages 15.8 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. CHI St Alexius Health Dickinson is 9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 100% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.92% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- CHI St Alexius Health Dickinson, with an emergency room, is just 9 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on wheat, hay, sunflower means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 24.8 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- A 127-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 15.8 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- Average winter lows of 8°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Stark County, ND is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 42/100
- Median home price
- $260k
- Property tax
- 0.92%
- Growing season
- 127 days (zone 4a)
- Annual rainfall
- 15.8"
- Broadband
- 100%
- Nearest hospital
- CHI St Alexius Health Dickinson, 9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Stark County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Stark County?
- Stark County is in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 127-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.7°F, and average winter lows of 8°F. The established crops are wheat, hay, sunflower.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $260,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.92%. 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?
- CHI St Alexius Health Dickinson is 9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore North Dakota Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
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More counties in North Dakota
All North Dakota countiesNearby counties
The closest counties to Stark 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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