CountyScore

Beltrami County

Minnesota · MN

#72 in Minnesota
67
County Score

County Report Card

About Beltrami County, Minnesota

Beltrami exceeds U.S. standard

Beltrami County's composite score of 67.0 beats the national median of 50.0 by 34%, placing it solidly above average among American counties. This reflects foundational livability strengths.

Slightly below Minnesota's pace

With a score of 67.0 compared to the state average of 70.9, Beltrami ranks slightly below Minnesota's typical livability profile. It remains a respectable performer, though several county peers exceed it.

Cost and tax efficiency excel

Beltrami shines in affordability with a cost score of 75.7 and a tax score of 74.3, backed by an effective tax rate of 0.996%. Median home values of $222,300 and rents under $1,000 make housing accessible.

Income and health need support

The income score of 27.3 reflects a median household income of $67,257, trailing state norms significantly. Health outcomes at 70.7 are solid but lag peer counties, indicating room for healthcare access or outcomes improvement.

For cost-conscious families

Beltrami is well-suited to families and retirees prioritizing affordability and community stability over high wages or cutting-edge healthcare. It works best for those with independent income sources or secure pensions.

Score breakdown

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

Tax74.3Cost75.7SafetyComing SoonHealth70.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome27.3Risk39.5WaterComing Soon
🏛74.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠75.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼27.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤70.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡39.5
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 Beltrami County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Plumas County
California
67
Median income: $64,946
Kootenai County
Idaho
67
Median income: $77,034
Schuyler County
Illinois
67
Median income: $66,059
Johnson County
Indiana
67
Median income: $87,227
Kearny County
Kansas
67
Median income: $74,135

Deep Dives

Beltrami County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Beltrami County

via TaxByCounty

Beltrami edges above the national tax norm

Beltrami County's effective tax rate of 0.996% sits approximately 4% above the national median of 0.956%, placing it in the moderate-to-high tier nationally. Despite a median home value 21% below the U.S. average, Beltrami applies a tax rate that exceeds most American counties.

Higher-tax Minnesota county overall

Beltrami County ranks 19th among Minnesota's 87 counties for tax burden, with a 0.996% effective rate that exceeds the state average of 0.968%. The county's median property tax of $2,214 is about $46 more than Minnesota's median despite lower home values.

Beltrami taxes above regional averages

In north-central Minnesota, Beltrami's 0.996% rate stands higher than Becker County (0.731%) and Aitkin County (0.573%), making it the priciest option in the region. A Beltrami homeowner pays $2,214 annually on a $222,300 median home—about $263 more than a comparable Becker County resident.

Annual tax cost for Beltrami homeowners

The median Beltrami County home is valued at $222,300, resulting in approximately $2,214 in annual property taxes at the county's 0.996% effective rate. Homeowners with mortgages pay about $2,228 yearly, while those without mortgages pay $2,192.

Verify your assessment in a high-tax county

In Beltrami County's relatively high-tax environment, assessment accuracy becomes especially important to your bottom line. Request a detailed breakdown of your assessment and ask your assessor how they determined your property's value—errors here cost you more than in lower-tax areas.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Beltrami County

via CostByCounty

Beltrami stretches incomes further than most

Beltrami County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.7% exceeds the national average of 14.5%, reflecting the tension between modest local incomes ($67,257) and regional housing costs. The $991 median rent consumes a noticeably larger share of paychecks here than in most U.S. counties.

Above-average affordability stress in Minnesota

Beltrami's rent-to-income ratio of 17.7% ranks among Minnesota's worst, beating only a handful of counties with similar challenges. The median rent of $991 sits above the state average of $915, while local incomes lag state peers, creating genuine affordability pressure.

Rents climb in Beltrami's region

Beltrami's $991 median rent surpasses nearby Big Stone ($718) and Aitkin ($912), though it undercuts Anoka's metro pricing. The affordability challenge here stems from higher regional rents meeting lower-than-average local incomes of $67,257.

Housing dominates household budgets

Renters pay $991 monthly while homeowners face $970 in mortgage costs, pushing combined housing expenses toward 29% of the $67,257 median income. For renters specifically, housing alone consumes 17.7% of income—notably above comfortable thresholds.

Weigh true costs before relocating

Beltrami offers small-town character and lower home values ($222,300), but factor in that housing costs consume a higher share of local incomes than most Minnesota counties. If you're considering a move here, verify that your income aligns with regional earnings levels to avoid the affordability crunch many residents face.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Beltrami County

via IncomeByCounty

Beltrami income falls below national median

Beltrami County's median household income of $67,257 trails the national median of $74,755 by approximately $7,500, a 10% gap. The county reflects a lower-income economic base compared to national averages, though still above the poorest regions.

Minnesota ranks Beltrami below average

At $67,257, Beltrami County falls roughly $8,500 below Minnesota's state average of $75,757. The county ranks among the lower-income counties in Minnesota, indicating economic conditions below the state norm.

Among the lower-earning nearby counties

Beltrami's $67,257 income is lower than most neighboring counties, though slightly ahead of Big Stone ($65,475). The county trails Becker ($71,117), Benton ($71,480), and Blue Earth ($72,623), and significantly lags Anoka ($98,764).

Housing costs stretch household budgets

Beltrami's 17.7% rent-to-income ratio is among the highest in the region, indicating tighter housing affordability. While still below the critical 30% threshold, the ratio suggests less discretionary income for savings after housing costs.

Prioritize modest but consistent investing

Beltrami residents earning $67,257 should focus on steady, automatic contributions to retirement and investment accounts despite tighter budgets. Even small monthly investments compound significantly over time and can build meaningful long-term wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Beltrami County

via HealthByCounty

Beltrami faces significant health challenges

At 74.0 years, Beltrami County's life expectancy lags the U.S. average by nearly 5 years—among Minnesota's lowest. The county's 16.9% poor or fair health rate signals widespread health struggles and urgent need for intervention.

Minnesota's lowest life expectancy ranking

Beltrami's 74.0-year life expectancy trails Minnesota's state average of 78.7 years by 4.7 years, making it one of the state's most challenged counties. The 8.0% uninsured rate—the state's highest—compounds health access barriers for vulnerable residents.

Significantly worse than all neighbors

Beltrami's 74.0-year life expectancy falls far below neighboring Becker (77.9), Aitkin (77.9), and Big Stone (77.5) counties. Despite 456 mental health providers per 100,000—the highest in this analysis—the county's overall health indicators remain critically low.

Provider access exists, but insurance gaps persist

Beltrami offers 108 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and a notably strong 456 mental health providers per 100,000. Yet the 8.0% uninsured rate—affecting roughly 1 in 12 residents—likely limits care-seeking even with providers available.

Health coverage is critical for Beltrami

Beltrami's 8.0% uninsured rate is Minnesota's highest; if you're uninsured, coverage is essential to your health. Visit MNsure.org immediately to explore plans and enroll—every month of coverage strengthens your family's health security.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Beltrami County

via RiskByCounty

Beltrami: Above-Average Risk Statewide

Beltrami County's composite risk score of 60.56 places it in the Relatively Low category but well above Minnesota's state average of 42.38. This rural northern county experiences significantly more natural disaster exposure than most of its peers statewide.

Upper-Middle Risk Among State Counties

Beltrami County ranks in the upper-middle tier of Minnesota's 87 counties for composite disaster risk, with its 60.56 score exceeding roughly two-thirds of statewide counties. The county's exposure reflects its northern location and landscape vulnerabilities.

Higher Risk Than Most Regional Peers

Beltrami County (60.56) faces notably higher risks than neighboring Becker County (37.40) and is comparable to Aitkin County (56.58). Its wildfire and flood exposures place it among the more vulnerable counties in northern Minnesota.

Wildfire and Flood Dominate Hazards

Beltrami residents face elevated wildfire risk (82.47) and flooding exposure (72.55), making these the county's primary natural disaster concerns. Tornado risk is moderate at 40.78, but the combination of fire and water hazards requires focused preparedness planning.

Prioritize Flood and Fire Coverage

Beltrami County residents should secure separate flood insurance—standard homeowners policies exclude flood damage—and evaluate wildfire protection for properties in or near forested areas. Consider home hardening measures against fire, such as defensible landscaping, and ensure your homeowners policy includes storm and tornado coverage.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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