CountyScore

Becker County

Minnesota · MN

#28 in Minnesota
72.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Becker County, Minnesota

Becker beats national baseline

Becker County's composite score of 72.6 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 45%, placing it among the better-performing counties nationwide. This reflects strong fundamentals across multiple livability dimensions.

Outperforms Minnesota average

With a score of 72.6 compared to Minnesota's 70.9, Becker ranks in the upper-middle tier of the state's counties. It demonstrates solid livability without reaching the highest echelon of Minnesota communities.

Taxes and affordability lead

Becker excels with a tax score of 81.7 and an effective rate of 0.731%, paired with affordable housing (cost score 75.5, median home value $266,900). Health outcomes are robust at 77.2, supporting strong overall wellness.

Income remains below potential

The income score of 29.8 reflects a median household income of $71,117, trailing state averages. Environmental risk management at 62.6 is also moderately weak, suggesting infrastructure or resilience challenges.

For pragmatic value seekers

Becker appeals to families and retirees prioritizing low taxes, affordable housing, and strong health services over maximum earning potential. It's an excellent choice for those wanting small-town appeal without rural isolation.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax81.7Cost75.5SafetyComing SoonHealth77.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome29.8Risk62.6WaterComing Soon
🏛81.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠75.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼29.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤77.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡62.6
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Becker County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Greene County
Alabama
72.6
Median income: $31,495
Macon County
Alabama
72.6
Median income: $45,951
Columbia County
Arkansas
72.6
Median income: $47,363
Lincoln County
Arkansas
72.6
Median income: $51,667
Little River County
Arkansas
72.6
Median income: $52,241

Deep Dives

Becker County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Becker County

via TaxByCounty

Becker taxes moderately, below national norm

Becker County's effective tax rate of 0.731% runs about 24% lower than the national median of 0.956%, placing it in the lower-tax quarter nationally. Homeowners here enjoy a more favorable tax environment than most U.S. communities of similar size and property values.

Minnesota's middle tier for property taxes

Becker County ranks 47th among Minnesota's 87 counties with a 0.731% effective rate, sitting well below the state average of 0.968%. The county's median tax bill of $1,951 is roughly $217 less than Minnesota's median of $2,168.

Becker offers better rates than regional rivals

Among north-central Minnesota counties, Becker's 0.731% rate outperforms Beltrami County (0.996%) and Aitkin County (0.573%), placing it solidly in the middle. A median-value home in Becker ($266,900) costs $1,951 annually in taxes—significantly less than comparable properties in faster-growing counties.

What Becker homeowners actually pay

The median home in Becker County is valued at $266,900, translating to approximately $1,951 in annual property taxes at the county's 0.731% effective rate. Homeowners with mortgages pay about $2,007 yearly, while those without mortgages pay $1,850.

Appeal if your assessment outpaces market value

Many Becker County homeowners pay taxes on assessments that haven't kept pace with recent market fluctuations or contain clerical errors. Review your assessment notice carefully—if your estimated value seems high compared to recent sales nearby, file an appeal with your county assessor's office.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Becker County

via CostByCounty

Becker offers balanced affordability advantage

Becker County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.2% sits comfortably below the national average of 14.5%, and incomes of $71,117 approach the national median of $74,755. This county achieves relatively strong housing affordability through a combination of reasonable rents ($899) and solid local earnings.

Well-positioned within Minnesota's market

Becker County's 15.2% rent-to-income ratio places it among the more affordable Minnesota counties, beating the state average of 14.5%. The median rent of $899 is nearly identical to the state average, while local incomes sustain this balance better than many peers.

The sweet spot in the region

Becker County offers lower rents than Aitkin ($912) and Beltrami ($991) while maintaining comparable incomes, creating a genuine affordability advantage. Only Big Stone County beats Becker on rent-to-income ratio (13.2%), but Big Stone offers fewer amenities and lower home values.

Balanced housing and income mix

Renters here pay $899 monthly while homeowners shoulder $1,095—a combined burden that consumes roughly 27% of the $71,117 median household income. This allocation sits right at the standard affordability benchmark, making Becker a rare example of balance.

A practical choice for affordability seekers

Becker County delivers one of Minnesota's better housing-to-income ratios without sacrificing small-city amenities and quality of life. Consider this county if you're seeking genuine affordability—median home values of $266,900 remain accessible on local incomes, making both renting and owning realistic options.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Becker County

via IncomeByCounty

Becker slightly trails national average

Becker County's median household income of $71,117 falls about $3,600 below the national median of $74,755, representing a modest 5% gap. The county performs close to the national average, indicating a middle-income economy comparable to many American regions.

Below Minnesota's median income level

At $71,117, Becker County ranks below Minnesota's state average of $75,757 by roughly $4,600. The county represents the middle-lower segment of Minnesota's income distribution, with earnings below the state norm.

Competitive with regional county incomes

Becker's $71,117 median income outpaces Aitkin ($59,498), Beltrami ($67,257), and Big Stone ($65,475) counties. However, it trails slightly behind Benton ($71,480) and Blue Earth ($72,623), placing it squarely in the middle of the regional income landscape.

Housing costs remain very manageable

Becker's 15.2% rent-to-income ratio is among the lowest in the region, indicating excellent housing affordability. A median home value of $266,900 represents solid value for local incomes, freeing up resources for savings and investments.

Affordability creates savings opportunities

Becker residents earning $71,117 benefit from low housing costs that leave substantial room for wealth-building activities. Directing even 10-15% of income toward retirement accounts and diversified investments can create significant long-term financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Becker County

via HealthByCounty

Becker's health slightly trails U.S. average

At 77.9 years, Becker County life expectancy aligns with national trends but falls just below the U.S. average of 78.9 years. The county's 14.1% poor or fair health rate is reasonable compared to many regions, though room for improvement exists.

Slightly below Minnesota health benchmarks

Becker's 77.9-year life expectancy trails Minnesota's 78.7-year state average by 0.8 years, placing it in the middle tier of state counties. At 7.0% uninsured, Becker exceeds the state's 6.0% average, suggesting coverage gaps for some residents.

Comparable to Aitkin, better than Beltrami

Becker's 77.9-year life expectancy matches Aitkin County exactly but trails Beltrami County's mental health resources of 264 per 100,000. The county offers 80 primary care providers per 100,000, placing it squarely within regional norms.

Moderate access with uninsured challenges

Becker provides 80 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, supporting routine care access. However, the 7.0% uninsured rate—the state's fifth-highest—means roughly 1 in 14 residents may delay seeking care due to cost.

Close the coverage gap in Becker

With 7.0% of residents uninsured, Becker has room to improve health security. Visit MNsure.org to compare affordable plans and find coverage today.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Becker County

via RiskByCounty

Becker: Among Minnesota's Safest

Becker County scores 37.40 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the Very Low category and well below Minnesota's 42.38 state average. This makes Becker one of the state's safer counties for natural disaster exposure, though residents still face localized risks.

Low Risk Across Minnesota

Becker County ranks among the lowest-risk counties statewide, with a composite score that places it in the bottom tier of Minnesota's 87 counties for disaster vulnerability. Its 37.40 score reflects minimal overall exposure compared to state peers.

Safest County in Its Region

Becker County (37.40) is notably safer than neighboring Aitkin County (56.58) and substantially safer than the higher-risk Beltrami County (60.56). Among its regional peers, Becker ranks as one of the least vulnerable to natural disasters.

Wildfire and Tornado Present Concerns

Though Becker County's overall risk is low, residents should monitor wildfire exposure (77.16) and tornado activity (56.77), which exceed the county's composite baseline. Flood risk remains relatively moderate at 52.23, meaning seasonal weather requires some preparedness.

Standard Insurance Likely Sufficient

Becker County residents with strong homeowners insurance and standard tornado/storm coverage are reasonably well-protected, though those near forests should consider wildfire endorsements. Review your policy annually and maintain basic emergency supplies, as even low-risk areas can experience localized events.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.