Land Market Insights and Pricing in Steele County, Minnesota

Steele County, Minnesota, offers a landscape of low rolling hills and fertile plains, ideal for agricultural pursuits. Spanning 430 square miles of land, the county is etched with drainages and dotted with small lakes and ponds, particularly in its western and northeastern sections. The Straight River flows northward through the county's center, while the South Branch of the Middle Fork of the Zumbro River rises in the east. Well-connected by major highways, including Interstate 35 and U.S. Routes 14 and 218, Steele County provides excellent land accessibility. The area boasts a strong economy with a low 3.1% unemployment rate and median worker earnings of $48,593, surpassing the national average. While property taxes at 1.21% are slightly higher than the national average, the county's affordable median home price of $234,200 and high resilience to natural disasters make it an attractive option for land buyers seeking agricultural or development opportunities in southern Minnesota.