Chippewa County's composite score of 71.2 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 42%, placing it in the upper tier nationally. The county essentially matches Minnesota's state average of 70.9, impressive for a rural region.
2 / 5
Competitive Performance in Minnesota
Chippewa County ranks just at or slightly above the Minnesota state average of 70.9, putting it in the top half of the state's 87 counties. For a rural agricultural community, this represents solid overall livability.
3 / 5
Affordability and Housing Lead the Scorecard
Chippewa County's cost score of 78.9 and housing affordability are exceptional, with a median home value of just $149,000 and rent at $846/month. The county also delivers strong health outcomes at 76.2 with a reasonable 1.041% tax rate.
4 / 5
Income Levels Significantly Trail State Average
With median household income of $69,192 and an income score of 28.6, Chippewa County's earning potential is notably below state norms. This remains the primary livability constraint for the county.
5 / 5
Ideal for Families Seeking Rural Affordability
Chippewa County suits families and retirees who value rural living, extremely low housing costs, and strong community health. It's an excellent choice for those willing to accept lower incomes in exchange for unbeatable affordability.
Chippewa County's composite score of 71.2 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 42%, placing it in the upper tier nationally. The county essentially matches Minnesota's state average of 70.9, impressive for a rural region.
Competitive Performance in Minnesota
Chippewa County ranks just at or slightly above the Minnesota state average of 70.9, putting it in the top half of the state's 87 counties. For a rural agricultural community, this represents solid overall livability.
Affordability and Housing Lead the Scorecard
Chippewa County's cost score of 78.9 and housing affordability are exceptional, with a median home value of just $149,000 and rent at $846/month. The county also delivers strong health outcomes at 76.2 with a reasonable 1.041% tax rate.
Income Levels Significantly Trail State Average
With median household income of $69,192 and an income score of 28.6, Chippewa County's earning potential is notably below state norms. This remains the primary livability constraint for the county.
Ideal for Families Seeking Rural Affordability
Chippewa County suits families and retirees who value rural living, extremely low housing costs, and strong community health. It's an excellent choice for those willing to accept lower incomes in exchange for unbeatable affordability.
Score breakdown
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Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Chippewa County's 1.041% effective tax rate exceeds the national median of 1.0%, placing it in the 55th percentile nationally. However, the median property tax of $1,551 runs well below the national median of $2,690, thanks to lower home values.
Above-average for Minnesota tax rates
Chippewa ranks 39th among Minnesota's 87 counties by effective rate, slightly above the state average of 0.968%. The county's median tax of $1,551 falls below Minnesota's $2,168 average, reflecting the county's lower median home value of $149,000.
Mid-range among western Minnesota counties
Chippewa's 1.041% rate sits between Clay County (1.115%) and Clearwater (0.732%), placing it in the moderate tier for the region. The $1,551 median tax is the second-lowest among peer counties.
Median home taxes run $1,551 per year
A $149,000 median home value multiplied by Chippewa's 1.041% rate yields approximately $1,551 in annual property taxes. With mortgage escrow, expect to pay $1,690 annually.
Challenge assessments to lower county bills
In smaller markets like Chippewa, assessment practices can lag behind current market values; homeowners should request a recent comparable sales analysis to verify their home is fairly valued. A successful appeal could trim $100–$300 off annual taxes.
Chippewa County residents spend just 14.7% of their $69,192 income on rent—nearly matching the national standard of 14.5%—while paying only $846 monthly. This exceptional value proposition holds despite below-national median incomes.
Minnesota's most affordable option here
Chippewa County's median rent of $846 is the lowest among these eight counties, and its 14.7% rent-to-income ratio sits virtually at the state average. The county punches above its weight in affordability despite modest local incomes.
Chippewa undercuts every comparable county
Chippewa's $846 rent beats Clearwater ($740) in absolute cost, but Clearwater residents enjoy a 13.7% ratio. Carlton ($967), Clay ($1,000), and all more urban neighbors charge substantially more, making Chippewa among the region's most economical.
Balanced housing burden on modest wages
With $846 rent and $936 monthly owner costs against a $69,192 income, Chippewa residents allocate roughly 15-16% to housing. Both renters and buyers find reasonable proportions, though incomes remain the county's constraint.
Chippewa is the budget-friendly choice
If housing affordability is your priority and you can adapt to a smaller job market and rural character, Chippewa County delivers the best rent-to-income ratio in this group. Your housing dollar stretches furthest here, freeing budget for other priorities.
Chippewa County's median household income of $69,192 falls 7.5 percent short of the U.S. median of $74,755. This $5,563 gap places the county in the lower-middle range nationally, reflecting rural economic constraints.
Below Minnesota's State Average
Chippewa ranks below Minnesota's state median of $75,757 by $6,565 annually per household. With per capita income of $35,205—well below the state average of $39,335—the county faces workforce earnings challenges typical of agricultural and rural regions.
Mid-Range Among Regional Counties
Chippewa's $69,192 median positions it between lower-income Cass and Clearwater counties and higher-earning Carlton and Clay. The county reflects typical rural Minnesota economics, with limited high-wage job clusters offsetting agricultural and small-business revenue.
Affordable Housing Offsets Low Income
Chippewa's low rent-to-income ratio of 14.7 percent—alongside median home values of just $149,000—makes housing accessible despite modest earnings. This affordability advantage helps households stretch limited income further.
Low-Cost Living Creates Opportunity
Chippewa's low cost of living relative to income creates surprising wealth-building potential if households save consistently. Even saving 5-10 percent of the median $69,192 income compounds significantly over decades in rural markets.
At 76.6 years, Chippewa County residents live about 2.2 years less than the U.S. average of 78.8 years. The county's 14.3% poor/fair health rate exceeds the national average, indicating above-average health challenges across the population.
Below Minnesota's health standards
Chippewa's 76.6-year life expectancy trails Minnesota's state average of 78.7 years by 2.1 years, placing it among the state's lower-performing counties. The 14.3% poor/fair health rate reflects health outcomes below Minnesota's typical standards.
Mixed standing among regional peers
Chippewa's 76.6-year life expectancy edges out Cass County (74.7 years) and Clearwater County (76.0 years), but falls below Carlton County (76.3 years) slightly. The county's 14.3% poor/fair health rate positions it midway among neighboring counties' health challenges.
Better uninsured rate, modest providers
Chippewa's 6.8% uninsured rate exceeds Minnesota's 6.0% state average, though the difference is modest. The county supports 97 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, but mental health coverage is limited at just 90 providers per 100,000.
Improve your coverage today
With 6.8% of Chippewa uninsured, there's opportunity to increase coverage. Head to MNSure.org or dial 1-855-366-7873 to explore affordable health insurance options tailored to Chippewa families.
Chippewa County's composite risk score of 36.99 with a "Very Low" rating places it well below the national average, indicating lower-than-typical exposure to major natural disasters. This favorable position makes Chippewa one of the more resilient counties nationally.
Chippewa is Minnesota's safer side
Chippewa County scores 36.99, below Minnesota's state average of 42.38, making it one of the state's lower-risk counties. This relative safety is a meaningful advantage for residents and businesses in the region.
Chippewa stands out as region's safest county
Chippewa County (36.99) significantly underperforms compared to higher-risk neighbors Carlton (70.07) and Clay (73.66), making it the region's clear safety outlier. The county avoids the extreme flood and wildfire exposure that defines other parts of Minnesota.
Tornado risk is Chippewa's only moderate concern
Chippewa County's tornado risk of 43.42 is its highest hazard score, though it remains moderate in absolute terms. Flood and wildfire risks (46.34 and 34.67 respectively) are relatively low, indicating Chippewa residents face fewer multi-hazard pressures.
Standard insurance and basic preparedness suffice
Chippewa residents should maintain standard homeowners insurance and a tornado safety plan, though the county's low overall risk profile means residents face fewer specialized insurance needs. Annual weather monitoring and a household emergency kit remain prudent precautions.