CountyScore

Carver County

Minnesota · MN

#76 in Minnesota
66
County Score

County Report Card

About Carver County, Minnesota

Affluent Suburb Outperforms National Average

Carver County's 66.0 composite score exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 32%, ranking it well above average nationwide. The county sits just beneath Minnesota's state average of 70.9, typical for a prosperous suburban area.

Strong Minnesota Performance

Carver County ranks solidly above the middle among Minnesota's 87 counties, just slightly below the state average. As a southwest Twin Cities suburb, the county reflects the region's overall prosperity.

Income and Health Are Standout Winners

Carver County's median household income of $123,144 and income score of 63.8 rank among the state's highest earners. Health outcomes also shine at 87.3, supported by a low effective tax rate of 1.026%.

Housing Costs Present the Main Hurdle

With a median home value of $426,900 and median rent at $1,444/month, Carver County's cost score drops to 51.6—well below its income performance. Housing affordability is the clear tradeoff for living in this affluent suburb.

Ideal for High-Income Families Seeking Suburbs

Carver County is perfect for affluent families and professionals who prioritize strong incomes, excellent health, and suburban convenience over affordability. Expect to pay premium housing prices but gain access to well-resourced communities.

Score breakdown

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

Tax73.4Cost51.6SafetyComing SoonHealth87.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome63.8Risk40.3WaterComing Soon
🏛73.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠51.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼63.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤87.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡40.3
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 Carver County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Craighead County
Arkansas
66
Median income: $57,615
Putnam County
Georgia
66
Median income: $64,163
Hendricks County
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Median income: $99,988
Boyd County
Kentucky
66
Median income: $60,659
Daviess County
Kentucky
66
Median income: $65,323

Deep Dives

Carver County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Carver County

via TaxByCounty

Carver's rate slightly above national median

Carver County's 1.026% effective tax rate edges above the national median of 1.0%, placing it in the 55th percentile. Despite having the state's highest median home values at $426,900, residents pay $4,380 annually—well above the national median of $2,690.

Mid-range Minnesota county for tax rates

Carver ranks 44th among Minnesota's 87 counties by effective rate, close to the state average of 0.968%. The county's median tax of $4,380 is the highest in Minnesota, reflecting both elevated home values and a slightly above-average tax rate.

Highest taxes in the southwest metro region

Carver's $4,380 median tax dwarfs nearby Chisago County ($3,668) and significantly exceeds Clay County ($2,854). As a affluent suburban county, Carver's combination of high property values and above-average rates creates Minnesota's steepest overall tax burden.

Median home taxes reach $4,380 annually

A $426,900 median home value multiplied by Carver's 1.026% rate yields approximately $4,380 in annual property taxes. Adding mortgage escrow brings the total to $4,562—among the highest in the state.

High assessments deserve careful review

In high-value markets like Carver, assessment errors can cost thousands annually; homeowners should request their property record from the assessor and verify the comparable sales used. A successful appeal on a $400,000+ property could save $2,000–$5,000 over time.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Carver County

via CostByCounty

Carver's high incomes offset steep rents

Carver County residents earn $123,144 annually—65% more than the national median of $74,755—allowing them to spend just 14.1% on rent despite $1,444 monthly costs. This high-income advantage keeps affordability ratios manageable despite premium housing prices.

Among Minnesota's most expensive counties

Carver ranks among Minnesota's priciest markets with a median home value of $426,900 and median rent at $1,444—the highest among these eight counties. Yet its 14.1% rent-to-income ratio edges below the state average, a feat only possible due to outsized local incomes.

Carver towers above regional neighbors

Carver's median rent of $1,444 dwarfs Carlton County's $967 and Chisago County's $1,112, while median home values exceed nearby counties by $100,000+. This premium reflects Carver's proximity to the Twin Cities and concentration of high-earning professionals.

Wealth absorbs Carver's housing premium

With $1,444 rent and $1,993 monthly owner costs, Carver residents dedicate roughly 14-19% of their $123,144 income to housing. The county's exceptional incomes make these elevated costs affordable in ways that would strain residents elsewhere.

Carver suits high-earning relocators

If your household income exceeds $120,000 and you value suburban proximity to major employment centers, Carver's premium housing stock and strong affordability ratio work in your favor. The equation flips for middle-income families: these prices would consume unsustainable income shares.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Carver County

via IncomeByCounty

Carver Leads National Income Charts

Carver County's median household income of $123,144 towers 64.8 percent above the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it among the wealthiest counties nationwide. This $48,389 advantage reflects a high-opportunity economy anchored by professional services and suburban Minneapolis growth.

Minnesota's Income Champions

Carver dominates Minnesota's income landscape with a median $47,387 above the state average of $75,757. Its per capita income of $58,254 also outpaces Minnesota's average by 48 percent, signaling both high household earnings and strong individual wealth.

Outearns All Regional Competitors

Carver's $123,144 median household income exceeds every comparison county, including Chisago ($98,260) and Carlton ($80,042). This premium reflects its position as a prosperous Twin Cities suburb with strong job markets and highly educated workforce.

Exceptional Housing Affordability

Despite median home values of $426,900—the highest among these counties—Carver maintains a healthy 14.1 percent rent-to-income ratio. High incomes relative to housing costs create genuine wealth-building potential for homeowners and renters alike.

Leverage Peak Earning Years

Carver County's exceptional income creates rare opportunity to aggressively build wealth through 401(k) maximization, taxable investment accounts, and real estate. Start or increase contributions immediately—high earners in strong markets accelerate wealth faster than any other income cohort.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Carver County

via HealthByCounty

Carver outpaces U.S. life expectancy

At 82.3 years, Carver County residents live about 3.5 years longer than the U.S. average of 78.8 years, placing the county among America's healthiest communities. Just 10.9% of residents report poor or fair health, roughly half the national average, reflecting strong overall health status.

Minnesota's healthiest county peers

Carver's 82.3-year life expectancy ranks substantially above Minnesota's state average of 78.7 years—a 3.6-year advantage that places it among the state's top-performing counties. The 10.9% poor/fair health rate trails the state norm, underscoring Carver's exceptional health outcomes.

Regional health leader

Carver's 82.3-year life expectancy leads its neighbors decisively: Chisago County (79.4 years), Carlton County (76.3 years), and Chippewa County (76.6 years) all lag significantly behind. Carver's 10.9% poor/fair health rate is the lowest among nearby counties, marking it as a regional health standout.

Strong coverage, solid provider access

Just 3.3% of Carver residents lack health insurance—the lowest uninsured rate among Minnesota counties and well below the state average of 6.0%. With 85 primary care providers and 231 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, the county offers accessible healthcare across both medical and behavioral services.

Keep coverage intact and strong

Carver's 3.3% uninsured rate is excellent, but staying covered matters. Review your plan annually at MNSure.org or call 1-855-366-7873 to ensure your coverage remains optimal for your family's needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Carver County

via RiskByCounty

Carver's risk profile is moderate nationally

Carver County scores 59.67 with a "Relatively Low" rating, placing it slightly above the national average and indicating above-average exposure to natural hazards. The county's risk landscape is shaped primarily by tornado and flood threats rather than rarer events.

Carver ranks higher than most Minnesota counties

Carver County's composite score of 59.67 exceeds Minnesota's state average of 42.38 by a significant margin, reflecting greater-than-typical disaster exposure for the state. This positions Carver among Minnesota's counties with elevated natural hazard vulnerability.

Carver faces more tornado risk than neighbors

While Carver's overall score of 59.67 is moderate, its tornado risk of 79.48 substantially exceeds neighboring Clay County (62.02) and Chisago County (64.15). This spike makes tornadoes the defining hazard for Carver residents.

Tornadoes pose Carver's primary threat

Carver County's tornado risk score of 79.48 is the dominant hazard, requiring serious preparedness from all residents and businesses. Flood risk (60.37) ranks second, while wildfire risk (39.34) remains relatively modest compared to state peers.

Tornado and flood coverage protects Carver homes

Carver residents should ensure homeowners insurance includes tornado coverage and consider separate flood insurance given the 60.37 flood risk score. A tornado safe room or shelter and a regularly updated emergency plan are critical for Carver families.

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.