THE DIRTBID REGIONAL MODEL · MINNESOTA
Sitework in Minnesota on the same Richmond Metro = 1.00 scale as the rest of DirtBid: 10 cost regions and 87 counties, each with a soil-risk rating from USDA and USGS data. Minneapolis Metro runs highest at 1.06×; Grand Forks Metro (Minnesota side) lowest at 0.81×.
Minnesota multipliers and county ratings are planning-level: built from federal price and soil data, and not yet checked against local bids or a local estimator.
Dominant ground: Lester, Zimmerman, Cordova
13 counties in this region. 10 of 13 rate high for water table. 10 of 13 rate high for dewatering. Deep frost protection is likely in 4 of 13. Highest risk score: Anoka County (6 of 10).
Counties: Anoka County, Carver County, Chisago County, Dakota County, Hennepin County, Isanti County, Le Sueur County, Mille Lacs County, Ramsey County, Scott County, Sherburne County, Washington County, Wright County
Dominant ground: Canisteo, Clarion, Webster
60 counties in this region. 58 of 60 rate high for water table. 58 of 60 rate high for dewatering. Deep frost protection is likely in 35 of 60. Highest risk score: Aitkin County (7 of 10).
Counties: Aitkin County, Becker County, Beltrami County, Big Stone County, Brown County, Cass County, Chippewa County, Clearwater County, Cook County, Cottonwood County, Crow Wing County, Douglas County, Faribault County, Freeborn County, Goodhue County, Grant County, Hubbard County, Itasca County, Jackson County, Kanabec County, Kandiyohi County, Kittson County, Koochiching County, Lac qui Parle County, Lake County, Lake of the Woods County, Lincoln County, Lyon County, McLeod County, Mahnomen County, Marshall County, Martin County, Meeker County, Morrison County, Mower County, Murray County, Nobles County, Norman County, Otter Tail County, Pennington County, Pine County, Pipestone County, Pope County, Red Lake County, Redwood County, Renville County, Rice County, Roseau County, Sibley County, Steele County, Stevens County, Swift County, Todd County, Traverse County, Wadena County, Waseca County, Watonwan County, Wilkin County, Winona County, Yellow Medicine County
Dominant ground: Greenwood, Duluth, Ahmeek
2 counties in this region. 2 of 2 rate high for water table. 2 of 2 rate high for dewatering. Deep frost protection is likely in 2 of 2. Highest risk score: St. Louis County (7 of 10).
Counties: Carlton County, St. Louis County
Dominant ground: Downs, Tama, Readlyn
4 counties in this region. 1 of 4 rate high for water table. 1 of 4 rate high for dewatering. Highest risk score: Dodge County (5 of 10).
Counties: Dodge County, Fillmore County, Olmsted County, Wabasha County
Dominant ground: Milaca, Hubbard, Mora
2 counties in this region. 2 of 2 rate high for water table. 2 of 2 rate high for dewatering. Deep frost protection is likely in 2 of 2. Highest risk score: Stearns County (6 of 10).
Counties: Benton County, Stearns County
Dominant ground: Marna, Beauford, Minnetonka
2 counties in this region. 2 of 2 rate high for water table. 2 of 2 rate high for undercut. Highest risk score: Blue Earth County (6 of 10).
Counties: Blue Earth County, Nicollet County
Dominant ground: Fargo, Bearden, Hokans
1 county in this region. 1 of 1 rate high for water table. 1 of 1 rate high for undercut. Deep frost protection is likely in 1 of 1. Highest risk score: Clay County (6 of 10).
Counties: Clay County
Dominant ground: Colvin, Bearden, Chapett
1 county in this region. 1 of 1 rate high for water table. 1 of 1 rate high for undercut. Deep frost protection is likely in 1 of 1. Highest risk score: Polk County (7 of 10). This multiplier sits outside the range the model was tested on, so treat it as rougher.
Counties: Polk County
Dominant ground: Fayette, Lamoille, Lacrescent
1 county in this region. Highest risk score: Houston County (4 of 10).
Counties: Houston County
Dominant ground: Moody, Trent, Splitrock
1 county in this region. 1 of 1 rate high for water table. 1 of 1 rate high for dewatering. Highest risk score: Rock County (5 of 10).
Counties: Rock County
FAQ
From USDA soil survey data, the most common across the state: water table (78 of 87 counties rate high), dewatering (78 of 87 counties rate high), undercut (46 of 87 counties rate high). A parcel can differ from its county, so read the survey for your exact site.
From the Commerce Department's Regional Price Parities, on the same Richmond Metro = 1.00 scale as Virginia. Across 29 reviewed regions that method missed by about 0.03 on average. They have not been checked against executed bids in Minnesota, so use them for planning, not a final bid.
They are screening ratings from federal soil and geology data, not a local estimator's review and not a geotechnical report. Tested against 511 reviewed counties, they land within one level most of the time, and exact matches are less common. Get borings before you price a real site.
Soil Report
A $350 DirtBid AI Soil Report reads the official USDA survey for your exact parcel, flags the hazards above, and prices the risk — before you buy land or sign a contract.