CountyScore

Benton County

Minnesota · MN

#64 in Minnesota
68.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Benton County, Minnesota

Benton beats national baseline

Benton County's composite score of 68.8 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 38%, positioning it well above typical American counties. This solid performance reflects balanced livability across key dimensions.

Slightly below state average

With a score of 68.8 versus Minnesota's 70.9, Benton ranks slightly below the state average. It remains a solid performer among the state's 87 counties, with strengths that offset modest weaknesses.

Healthcare and safety lead

Benton achieves a strong health score of 79.4 and an exceptional environmental risk score of 48.7, signaling good stability. Tax efficiency (73.4) and housing cost (72.2) are both respectable, supporting overall affordability.

Income growth remains modest

The income score of 30.0 reflects a median household income of $71,480, below state and regional benchmarks. This represents the county's most significant livability constraint.

For health-conscious families

Benton suits families valuing excellent healthcare access and stable, low-risk environments who are willing to accept modest income levels. It's ideal for those with secure non-local income or those nearing retirement.

Score breakdown

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

Tax73.4Cost72.2SafetyComing SoonHealth79.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome30Risk48.7WaterComing Soon
🏛73.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠72.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼30
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤79.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡48.7
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 Benton County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Marshall County
Alabama
68.8
Median income: $60,946
Independence County
Arkansas
68.8
Median income: $56,009
Habersham County
Georgia
68.8
Median income: $65,622
Hancock County
Georgia
68.8
Median income: $33,182
Appanoose County
Iowa
68.8
Median income: $51,146

Deep Dives

Benton County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Benton County

via TaxByCounty

Benton County taxes above U.S. average

Benton County's effective tax rate of 1.025% exceeds the national median of 0.956% by roughly 7%, placing it in the higher-tax tier nationally. This means Benton residents pay more in property taxes relative to home value than the typical American homeowner.

Minnesota's higher-end property tax county

Benton County ranks 10th among Minnesota's 87 counties for tax burden, with a 1.025% effective rate that significantly exceeds the state average of 0.968%. The county's median property tax of $2,532 surpasses Minnesota's median by $364.

Benton leads regional tax rates

Among central Minnesota counties, Benton's 1.025% rate stands above Beltrami County (0.996%), Becker County (0.731%), and Aitkin County (0.573%). A median-value home in Benton ($247,100) incurs $2,532 in annual taxes—roughly $318 more than a similar Becker County property.

What Benton residents pay annually

The median Benton County home is valued at $247,100, translating to approximately $2,532 in annual property taxes at the county's 1.025% effective rate. Homeowners with mortgages pay about $2,566 yearly, while those without mortgages pay $2,469.

Challenge assessments in high-tax Benton

In a higher-tax county like Benton, even small assessment errors translate into significant annual costs that compound over time. If your assessment increased substantially this year or seems high relative to recent neighbor sales, file an appeal—it's one of the few ways to directly reduce your tax bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Benton County

via CostByCounty

Benton balances income and housing costs

Benton County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.4% edges above the national average of 14.5%, but household incomes of $71,480 nearly match the national median of $74,755. The $917 median rent remains affordable in absolute terms, though homeowner costs of $1,295 pull the total housing burden higher.

Moderate affordability among Minnesota counties

Benton County's 15.4% rent-to-income ratio sits slightly above Minnesota's 14.5% state average, placing it in the middle range of county affordability. Local incomes support this positioning reasonably well, avoiding the extreme pressures seen in some rural peers.

Competitive rents in central Minnesota

Benton's $917 median rent nearly matches Big Stone County ($718) and Becker County ($899), making it competitively priced within the region. However, homeowner costs of $1,295 exceed most neighbors, suggesting higher property values and ownership premiums.

Ownership carries the heavier burden

Renters here pay $917 monthly while homeowners face $1,295—a $378 gap that reflects the county's median home value of $247,100. Combined housing expenses consume roughly 31% of the $71,480 median household income, with ownership pulling the average upward.

Consider renting before buying

Benton County offers reasonable rental affordability, but prospective homebuyers should plan carefully for the $1,295 monthly owner costs. If you're relocating here and considering purchase, ensure your income comfortably exceeds the median to avoid the ownership premium that strains household budgets.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Benton County

via IncomeByCounty

Benton slightly below national income average

Benton County's median household income of $71,480 trails the national median of $74,755 by approximately $3,275, a 5% shortfall. The county sits near the national average, reflecting a solid middle-income economy.

Below Minnesota's income standard

At $71,480, Benton County ranks about $4,300 below Minnesota's state average of $75,757. The county represents the middle-lower segment of Minnesota's income distribution, earning slightly less than the state norm.

Mid-range income among nearby counties

Benton's $71,480 slightly exceeds Becker ($71,117) and tops several other regional neighbors, though trails Blue Earth ($72,623). The county occupies the middle of the regional income spectrum, competitive with surrounding rural and small metro areas.

Housing highly affordable on local wages

Benton's 15.4% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the region's best, indicating strong housing affordability. A median home value of $247,100 is very accessible to local earners, enabling savings for other financial goals.

Low housing costs enable wealth building

Benton residents earning $71,480 benefit from exceptional housing affordability that frees up capital for long-term investing. Allocating even 15% of income to retirement and investment vehicles can generate substantial wealth over a working lifetime.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Benton County

via HealthByCounty

Benton trails national health benchmarks

At 77.3 years, Benton County life expectancy falls below the U.S. average of 78.9 years, though the 12.7% poor or fair health rate is relatively moderate. The county faces some health headwinds despite reasonable health perception among residents.

Below Minnesota's state health average

Benton's 77.3-year life expectancy trails Minnesota's 78.7-year state average by 1.4 years, placing it in the lower-middle tier of state counties. The 5.5% uninsured rate is better than state average of 6.0%, suggesting reasonable coverage uptake.

Lowest provider access in this cohort

Benton's 77.3-year life expectancy falls below nearly all regional neighbors, including Anoka (79.9) and Brown (80.2). The county's 22 primary care providers per 100,000 is by far the lowest in this analysis, creating a significant access constraint.

Severe primary care shortage threatens access

Benton's 22 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—less than a quarter of state norms—creates a critical bottleneck for routine care. The 5.5% uninsured rate is relatively low, but the lack of available providers makes the coverage less meaningful.

Secure coverage despite access barriers

Benton's low provider availability makes insurance coverage even more essential for coordinating care. Ensure your family is covered at MNsure.org—and work with community health centers to navigate limited local options.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Benton County

via RiskByCounty

Benton: Moderate Risk, Below State Average

Benton County scores 51.34 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the Relatively Low category and slightly above Minnesota's 42.38 state average. This central Minnesota county experiences natural disaster exposure that's typical or slightly elevated compared to most state peers.

Mid-Range Risk Statewide

Benton County ranks near the middle of Minnesota's 87 counties for composite disaster risk, with a 51.34 score that indicates moderate vulnerability. Its exposure level reflects a balance of multiple hazard types without exceptional concentration in any single area.

Comparable to Regional Counties

Benton County (51.34) sits between safer Becker County (37.40) and higher-risk Beltrami County (60.56), placing it in a typical vulnerability range for central-northern Minnesota. Compared to Aitkin County (56.58), Benton faces slightly lower overall exposure.

Tornado and Flood Are Equal Concerns

Benton County residents face similar risks from tornado activity (67.72) and flooding (61.67), both moderately elevated compared to the state. Wildfire exposure at 67.62 adds a third significant hazard, making multi-hazard preparedness important for households.

Balanced Insurance and Preparedness

Benton County residents should secure flood insurance in addition to standard homeowners coverage, given the county's 61.67 flood risk score. Ensure your policy includes tornado and severe storm protection, and develop a household emergency plan addressing all three primary hazard types.

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.