CountyScore

Brown County

Minnesota · MN

#49 in Minnesota
70.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Brown County, Minnesota

Brown meets and beats average

Brown County's composite score of 70.6 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 41%, placing it in the upper-performing half of U.S. counties. This reflects strong overall livability fundamentals.

Right at Minnesota's average

With a score of 70.6 versus Minnesota's 70.9, Brown County sits almost exactly at the state average. It represents a solid, typical Minnesota county without standout strengths or glaring weaknesses.

Healthcare and affordability balance

Brown achieves a strong health score of 79.5 and respectable housing affordability with a cost score of 77.9 (median home value $181,700). Tax efficiency at 73.0 provides a stable financial environment.

Income and risk need attention

The income score of 28.2 reflects a median household income of $68,690, trailing state averages. Environmental risk at 49.6 suggests moderate vulnerability to climate or resilience challenges.

For balanced rural families

Brown County appeals to families seeking a balanced mix of affordability, healthcare access, and stable small-town living without extreme isolation. It's ideal for those valuing community and predictability over maximum income opportunity.

Score breakdown

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

Tax73Cost77.9SafetyComing SoonHealth79.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome28.2Risk49.6WaterComing Soon
🏛73
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠77.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼28.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤79.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡49.6
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 Brown County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Fremont County
Colorado
70.6
Median income: $61,027
Chattahoochee County
Georgia
70.6
Median income: $59,221
Jones County
Georgia
70.6
Median income: $68,259
Jerome County
Idaho
70.6
Median income: $69,338
Jefferson County
Indiana
70.6
Median income: $59,987

Deep Dives

Brown County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Brown County

via TaxByCounty

Brown County taxes highest among peers

Brown County's effective tax rate of 1.040% exceeds the national median of 0.956% by roughly 9%, placing it in the higher-tax tier nationally. Despite median home values below the U.S. average, Brown homeowners shoulder above-average property tax rates.

Minnesota's 8th-highest property tax county

Brown County ranks 8th among Minnesota's 87 counties for tax burden, with a 1.040% effective rate that significantly exceeds the state average of 0.968%. The county's median property tax of $1,890 is only $44 below the state median of $2,168, despite home values that run $66,200 lower.

Brown County leads regional tax rates

In south-central Minnesota, Brown's 1.040% rate stands above Benton County (1.025%), Blue Earth County (0.984%), and all northern counties. A Brown County homeowner pays $1,890 on a $181,700 median home—a notably higher rate than comparable properties in neighboring areas.

Brown County's annual property tax cost

The median home in Brown County is valued at $181,700, resulting in approximately $1,890 in annual property taxes at the county's 1.040% effective rate. Homeowners with mortgages pay about $1,952 yearly, while those without mortgages pay $1,822.

High tax rate makes appeals especially valuable

Brown County's above-average tax rate means assessment errors cost you more than in lower-tax counties—making appeals a high-value investment of your time. Review your assessment carefully, especially after recent home sales in your area, and file a formal appeal if your assessed value diverges significantly from market value.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Brown County

via CostByCounty

Brown County approaches national norms

Brown County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.3% sits between the national average (14.5%) and the most strained counties, reflecting moderate affordability pressure. With median rent of $931 and household incomes of $68,690—slightly below the national median of $74,755—local residents feel the squeeze somewhat.

Slightly above Minnesota's affordability line

Brown County's 16.3% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Minnesota's 14.5% state average, indicating above-average affordability pressure within the state. The $931 median rent sits modestly above the state average of $915, while local incomes lag state peers.

Mid-range costs in southern Minnesota

Brown County's $931 rent places it between Big Stone ($718) and Blue Earth ($1,076), offering moderate pricing within the region. Home values here are the lowest in this county set at $181,700, providing an affordability offset for prospective homeowners.

Ownership is the better deal

Renters pay $931 monthly while homeowners face just $901—an unusual reversal where ownership costs less than renting on a $68,690 median income. For homebuyers, this county's low property values ($181,700) make ownership highly accessible relative to rental markets.

A buyer's market in southern Minnesota

Brown County's remarkably low home values ($181,700) make it an excellent choice for renters ready to buy, as ownership costs less than renting here. If you're relocating and can access homeownership financing, Brown County delivers genuine value unavailable in most Minnesota markets.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Brown County

via IncomeByCounty

Brown below but near national average

Brown County's median household income of $68,690 falls approximately $6,065 short of the national median of $74,755, an 8% gap. The county reflects a below-average but respectable income level compared to national standards.

Minnesota ranks Brown below average

At $68,690, Brown County trails Minnesota's state average of $75,757 by roughly $7,100. The county sits in the lower-middle segment of Minnesota's income distribution, earning noticeably below the state median.

Mid-range income in regional context

Brown's $68,690 income exceeds Aitkin ($59,498), Beltrami ($67,257), and Big Stone ($65,475), but trails Becker ($71,117), Benton ($71,480), and Blue Earth ($72,623). The county occupies the middle tier of regional income levels.

Housing costs moderately manageable

Brown's 16.3% rent-to-income ratio indicates reasonable housing affordability, though not exceptional. A median home value of $181,700 is accessible to local earners, though the lower income base leaves limited cushion for other expenses.

Consistent investing builds long-term security

Brown County residents earning $68,690 should establish automatic retirement contributions and diversified investments to build wealth systematically. With housing costs manageable, even 12-15% of income directed to long-term investments can generate substantial financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Brown County

via HealthByCounty

Brown County leads U.S. life expectancy

At 80.2 years, Brown County has the highest life expectancy of all counties analyzed—exceeding the U.S. average of 78.9 years by 1.3 years. The county's 15.8% poor or fair health rate is moderate, suggesting overall solid health outcomes.

Minnesota's top health performer

Brown County's 80.2-year life expectancy is the highest in this analysis and exceeds Minnesota's state average of 78.7 years by 1.5 years. The 5.0% uninsured rate—the lowest statewide—reflects exceptional health insurance coverage across the county.

Outpaces all regional counties

Brown's 80.2-year life expectancy substantially exceeds all analyzed neighbors, topping even Anoka (79.9) and Blue Earth (79.7). The county offers 93 primary care providers per 100,000 and 230 mental health providers per 100,000, supporting comprehensive care access.

Best overall health access profile

Brown County combines the lowest uninsured rate (5.0%) with solid provider availability—93 primary care and 230 mental health providers per 100,000 residents. This combination directly translates to the county's best-in-analysis life expectancy outcomes.

Maintain Brown County's health advantage

Brown's exceptional health outcomes stem partly from its 5.0% uninsured rate—the best in this analysis. If you're uninsured or shopping for better coverage, MNsure.org helps you join Brown's health-insured majority.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Brown County

via RiskByCounty

Brown: Low Risk, Below State Average

Brown County scores 50.38 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the Relatively Low category and slightly above Minnesota's state average of 42.38. This southern Minnesota county experiences moderate natural disaster exposure compared to most state peers.

Below-Average Risk Statewide

Brown County ranks in the lower half of Minnesota's 87 counties for composite disaster risk, with a 50.38 score that indicates relatively safe conditions. Its exposure level places it among the safer counties in Minnesota, though not in the very-low category.

Safer Than Nearby Blue Earth County

Brown County (50.38) faces notably lower risks than neighboring Blue Earth County (72.20), making it one of the safer areas in southern Minnesota. Compared to Benton County (51.34) to the north, Brown County is comparable in overall vulnerability.

Tornado and Flood Are Main Hazards

Brown County residents face moderate tornado risk (56.58) and flood exposure (44.47), both below state highs but still requiring preparedness. Wildfire risk is notably low at 24.08, making tornado and water-related events the county's primary natural disaster concerns.

Standard Coverage Plus Flood Protection

Brown County residents should obtain separate flood insurance given the county's 44.47 flood risk score, since standard homeowners policies exclude flood damage. Ensure your homeowners policy includes tornado and severe storm protection, and maintain a basic emergency kit for severe weather 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.