Cook County's composite score of 76.2 ranks it in the top 15% of U.S. counties, crushing the national median of 50.0 by 52%. The county also exceeds Minnesota's state average of 70.9, the highest scorer in this group.
2 / 5
Minnesota's Livability Leader in This Group
Cook County ranks among the very top of Minnesota's 87 counties, well above state average. This northeastern county delivers exceptional overall livability despite its remote location.
3 / 5
Health and Affordability Excel Here
Cook County's health score of 83.3 leads this group, while cost score of 76.4 delivers median home value of $294,000 and rent at $886/month. An effective tax rate of 0.790% is the lowest among these eight counties.
4 / 5
Lower Incomes Offset Strong Quality of Life
With median household income of $71,643 and income score of 30.2, Cook County's earning potential remains constrained. A risk score of 88.8 suggests economic concentration in the county's tourism and natural resource sectors.
5 / 5
Perfect for Nature-Loving Retirees and Remote Workers
Cook County is ideal for retirees, outdoor enthusiasts, and remote professionals seeking pristine health, low taxes, reasonable housing, and natural beauty. It's the livability champion for those valuing quality of life over income potential.
Cook County's composite score of 76.2 ranks it in the top 15% of U.S. counties, crushing the national median of 50.0 by 52%. The county also exceeds Minnesota's state average of 70.9, the highest scorer in this group.
Minnesota's Livability Leader in This Group
Cook County ranks among the very top of Minnesota's 87 counties, well above state average. This northeastern county delivers exceptional overall livability despite its remote location.
Health and Affordability Excel Here
Cook County's health score of 83.3 leads this group, while cost score of 76.4 delivers median home value of $294,000 and rent at $886/month. An effective tax rate of 0.790% is the lowest among these eight counties.
Lower Incomes Offset Strong Quality of Life
With median household income of $71,643 and income score of 30.2, Cook County's earning potential remains constrained. A risk score of 88.8 suggests economic concentration in the county's tourism and natural resource sectors.
Perfect for Nature-Loving Retirees and Remote Workers
Cook County is ideal for retirees, outdoor enthusiasts, and remote professionals seeking pristine health, low taxes, reasonable housing, and natural beauty. It's the livability champion for those valuing quality of life over income potential.
Score breakdown
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🏛80.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Cook County's 0.790% effective tax rate falls 21% below the national median of 1.0%, placing it in the 35th percentile. Despite median home values near the national average at $294,000, homeowners pay just $2,322 annually—14% less than the national median.
Minnesota's fourth-most affordable county
Cook ranks 82nd among Minnesota's 87 counties by effective rate, at 0.790% versus the state average of 0.968%. The median property tax of $2,322 falls below Minnesota's average of $2,168, offering solid tax value.
More affordable than all nearby counties
Cook's 0.790% rate beats Carlton (1.169%), Clearwater (0.732%), and Clay (1.115%), ranking as the second-lowest in the northern region. Only Cass County's 0.576% offers greater relief.
Median home taxes $2,322 per year
With a median home value of $294,000 and Cook's 0.790% effective rate, homeowners pay approximately $2,322 in annual property taxes. The variation between mortgaged and non-mortgaged properties ($2,061 vs. $2,578) reflects timing in assessment records.
Review assessments even in low-tax areas
Cook County homeowners should still verify their property assessment against recent comparable sales, particularly if they've completed home improvements or if market conditions have shifted. A successful appeal could preserve $100–$300 annually.
Cook County residents spend 14.8% of their $71,643 income on rent—just slightly above the national 14.5% benchmark—despite earning 4% below the national median. This modest premium for rural housing reflects reasonable regional value.
Near Minnesota's affordability center
Cook's 14.8% rent-to-income ratio sits just 0.3 percentage points above Minnesota's 14.5% state average, placing it squarely in the middle of the state's affordability spectrum. The county offers neither standout bargains nor particular strain.
Cook offers moderate rental middle ground
Cook's $886 median rent falls between cheaper Clearwater ($740) and Chippewa ($846) while exceeding Cass ($889) slightly. With home values of $294,000, Cook offers more expensive housing than its rural peers but remains accessible compared to suburban counties.
Balanced housing costs on modest wages
Cook renters pay $886 monthly while homeowners spend $1,053 against a $71,643 income, representing roughly 15-18% for housing. Both rental and ownership pathways remain proportional, though incomes remain the limiting factor.
Cook attracts nature-focused pragmatists
If you value access to Lake Superior, outdoor recreation, and small-town character without sacrificing housing affordability, Cook County delivers practical balance. This is authentic northeast Minnesota living at reasonable cost—ideal for relocators prioritizing quality of life over income growth.
Cook County's median household income of $71,643 falls 4.2 percent short of the U.S. median of $74,755. This $3,112 gap places the county modestly below national average, reflecting the economic realities of a remote, natural-resource-dependent region.
Below Minnesota's State Average
Cook ranks below Minnesota's state median of $75,757 by $4,114 annually per household. However, its per capita income of $45,390—the highest here—suggests concentrated wealth among smaller population, with broader household income challenges.
Mid-Range Among Regional Counties
Cook's $71,643 median sits between lower-income Clearwater and Cass counties and higher-earning Carlton and Clay. The county reflects transition-zone economics between pure rural areas and suburban centers.
Balanced Housing Affordability
Cook's rent-to-income ratio of 14.8 percent—near regional average—means households manage housing relatively well despite modest income. Median home values of $294,000 remain accessible for the median household earning $71,643.
Leverage High Per-Capita Advantage
Cook County's unusually high per capita income relative to household income suggests concentrated earners—an opportunity for targeted wealth-building among higher-income households. Those earning above the median should prioritize aggressive saving strategies.
At 83.0 years, Cook County residents live about 4.2 years longer than the U.S. average of 78.8 years, placing the county among America's healthiest communities. Just 11.9% report poor or fair health, well below the national average, reflecting exceptional population health.
Minnesota's top health performer
Cook's 83.0-year life expectancy leads Minnesota by 4.3 years above the state average of 78.7 years, ranking it as the state's most impressive. The 11.9% poor/fair health rate is the lowest among these counties, underscoring Cook's exceptional standing.
Clear regional health leader
Cook's 83.0-year life expectancy vastly exceeds all neighbors: Carver County (82.3 years) is the closest, followed distantly by Chisago County (79.4 years). Cook's 11.9% poor/fair health rate is the best among all regional peers, establishing it as the region's clear health leader.
Exceptional provider access, modest uninsured
Cook's 7.1% uninsured rate exceeds Minnesota's 6.0% state average, notably the highest of the two best-performing counties in this analysis. The county offers outstanding provider access with 160 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—the highest among these counties—plus 106 mental health providers per 100,000.
Keep your health coverage strong
While Cook performs exceptionally, 7.1% uninsured means some residents lack coverage. Ensure continuous protection at MNSure.org or by calling 1-855-366-7873 to explore or maintain affordable health insurance.
Cook County's composite risk score of 11.23 with a "Very Low" rating places it among the nation's most protected counties from major natural disasters. This exceptionally low exposure provides residents with one of the lowest disaster risk profiles in the United States.
Cook ranks second-lowest in Minnesota risk
Cook County scores 11.23, well below Minnesota's state average of 42.38 and second only to Clearwater County (4.17) in statewide safety rankings. This positions Cook among Minnesota's most resilient and disaster-resistant counties.
Cook is region's second-safest county overall
Cook County (11.23) trails only Clearwater (4.17) but substantially outperforms neighboring Carlton (70.07) and Clay (73.66) in safety. The county's northeastern Lake Superior location provides natural protection from many hazards affecting interior Minnesota.
Wildfire is Cook's only meaningful hazard
Cook County's wildfire risk score of 79.58 is notably elevated, reflecting its boreal forest geography and fire ecology. However, flood (19.85), tornado (2.89), and earthquake risks are nearly nonexistent, making fire the sole significant hazard.
Wildfire awareness matters most for Cook residents
Cook County residents should focus fire preparedness efforts on wildfire defense—creating defensible space, maintaining evacuation routes, and following seasonal fire restrictions. Standard homeowners insurance provides adequate coverage for most risks, with wildfire awareness being the primary personal protection measure.