CountyScore

Douglas County

Minnesota · MN

#44 in Minnesota
71.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Douglas County, Minnesota

42% ahead of U.S. median

Douglas County's composite score of 71.4 runs 42% higher than the national median of 50.0, placing it solidly among the better-performing counties across the country. The score reflects meaningful advantages in tax burden, affordability, and health infrastructure.

Marginally above Minnesota average

With a score of 71.4 compared to Minnesota's average of 70.9, Douglas ranks just above the midpoint of the state's counties. It matches Faribault and Fillmore for third place among these eight.

Lowest taxes and solid affordability

Douglas boasts strong tax efficiency with an effective rate of 0.863% and a tax score of 78.0, while maintaining reasonable housing costs ($896/month rent, $291,700 median home value). Health outcomes are also respectable at 79.9.

Income and moderate risk concerns

The income score of 33.8 reflects a median household income of just $77,264, limiting wealth-building potential for working families. A risk score of 55.7 suggests moderate vulnerability that warrants monitoring.

Good choice for tax-conscious workers

Douglas County appeals to middle-income families and workers in trades or public employment who value low tax burden and reasonable housing costs over high earning potential. It offers a straightforward, stable rural lifestyle with sound fundamentals.

Score breakdown

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

Tax78Cost73.4SafetyComing SoonHealth79.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome33.8Risk55.7WaterComing Soon
🏛78
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠73.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼33.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤79.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡55.7
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 Douglas County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Tallapoosa County
Alabama
71.4
Median income: $57,185
Van Buren County
Arkansas
71.4
Median income: $47,266
Audubon County
Iowa
71.4
Median income: $54,152
Butler County
Iowa
71.4
Median income: $69,651
Jones County
Iowa
71.4
Median income: $73,071

Deep Dives

Douglas County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Douglas County

via TaxByCounty

Douglas taxes well below national norm

Douglas County's effective rate of 0.863% falls slightly below the national median of roughly 0.85%, placing it in the lower half of U.S. counties for tax burden. With a median home value of $291,700—above the national median of $281,900—residents pay $2,516 annually, well below the national median of $2,690.

Below-average taxes statewide

Douglas County's 0.863% effective rate sits below Minnesota's state average of 0.968%, making it one of the state's more favorable counties for homeowners. The median tax of $2,516 comes in below the state median of $2,168 despite above-average property values.

Competitive advantage in the region

Douglas County's 0.863% rate outperforms most regional neighbors, trailing only Crow Wing County (0.787%) while undercutting Dodge County (1.085%) and Cottonwood County (1.128%). For homeowners comparing locations, Douglas offers an attractive tax environment without sacrificing property values.

What $292K home costs annually

A median-priced home in Douglas valued at $291,700 generates approximately $2,516 in annual property taxes at the county's 0.863% rate. Homeowners with mortgages pay slightly less at $2,446, while those without pay $2,662.

Protect your tax advantage

Douglas County's favorable rate is worth safeguarding—verify your assessed value is accurate and consider filing an appeal if you suspect overassessment. Even small discrepancies add up over time, and the county assessor's office makes the appeal process straightforward.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Douglas County

via CostByCounty

Douglas County keeps rents below national stress

At 13.9%, Douglas County's rent-to-income ratio sits just below Minnesota's state average and well within comfort zones, supported by a median income of $77,264. Renters pay $896 monthly—notably below state average—making Douglas attractive for budget-conscious movers.

Douglas County near Minnesota's affordability mean

Douglas County's 13.9% rent-to-income ratio tracks closely to Minnesota's 14.5% average, positioning it as solidly middle-ground statewide. Its $896 median rent runs $19 below the state average, though home values climb higher due to regional demand.

Douglas bridges rural and metro costs

Douglas's $896 rent and $291,700 home value position it between affordable southern counties like Cottonwood ($765 rent, $154,000 homes) and expensive metro counties like Dakota ($1,497 rent, $362,100 homes). This middle ground reflects its role as a regional hub with moderate growth pressure.

13.9% for rent, 19.3% for homeownership

Renters spend $896 monthly while homeowners commit $1,240 on a $77,264 median income, allocating 13.9% and 19.3% to housing respectively. Homeownership costs run notably higher here, reflecting the elevated $291,700 median home value relative to income.

Douglas offers balanced regional opportunity

Douglas County suits relocators seeking neither rural isolation nor metro intensity—you'll find reasonable rents at $896 and manageable home prices near $291,700. The 13.9% rent-to-income ratio leaves room for savings while maintaining access to regional amenities and employment.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Douglas County

via IncomeByCounty

Douglas County earns above national average

Douglas County's median household income of $77,264 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by 3.4%, positioning it slightly above the national middle. This reflects the county's diverse economy centered on Superior, Wisconsin's influence and regional agriculture.

Close to Minnesota's income benchmark

Douglas County's $77,264 median income runs just $2,493 above Minnesota's state average of $75,757, performing nearly at par. Per capita income of $43,543 exceeds the state average of $39,335, suggesting better wealth distribution.

Solid performer among regional peers

Douglas County's $77,264 ranks above Cottonwood, Crow Wing, and Faribault counties, but below Dodge and Dakota. The county's location on Lake Superior and regional economic ties support steady employment and income growth.

Balanced housing costs here

Douglas County's rent-to-income ratio of 13.9% sits comfortably within affordability ranges, indicating housing costs claim a reasonable share of household income. The median home value of $291,700 reflects a healthy property market with manageable affordability.

Build wealth with steady income base

Douglas County's stable, slightly above-average income and reasonable housing costs provide a solid foundation for long-term wealth accumulation. Take advantage of employer retirement benefits, emergency savings, and consider property ownership as a wealth-building vehicle.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Douglas County

via HealthByCounty

Douglas Surpasses National Health Norms

Douglas County's 79.4-year life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 78.9 years by half a year, signaling above-average population health. With 14.8% reporting poor or fair health, Douglas exceeds the national average of 15.3% by a slim margin, though the differential is notable. Strong primary care infrastructure appears to support this county's longevity edge.

Above-Average Health, Strong Access

Douglas County's 79.4-year life expectancy edges ahead of Minnesota's 78.7-year state average, placing it in the upper half of statewide performance. With 14.8% poor/fair health, Douglas performs better than average but trails top performers like Dakota and Dodge. The county's healthcare infrastructure—including 112 primary care providers per 100K—supports this solid ranking.

Healthy Mid-Tier County

Douglas's 79.4-year life expectancy sits between strong performers (Dakota at 80.9, Dodge at 81.2) and lower-performing counties like Freeborn (78.1) and Cottonwood (78.3). At 14.8% poor/fair health, Douglas ranks in the middle of the regional pack. The county's strong primary care provider ratio (112 per 100K) supports reasonable access and outcomes.

Good Coverage and Growing Access

Douglas's uninsured rate of 4.8% is well below Minnesota's 6.0% average, indicating strong coverage among the population. With 112 primary care providers and 245 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, Douglas offers robust access to both routine and behavioral health services. The county's investment in provider recruitment appears to be paying dividends in access and outcomes.

Check Coverage and Find Better Plans

If you're among Douglas's uninsured residents, affordable marketplace plans and Medicaid options are available to fit most budgets. Even if you're covered, review your plan annually to ensure it includes preventive services, mental health care, and specialist access you need. Visit healthcare.gov or call a local enrollment assistant to explore your options.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Douglas County

via RiskByCounty

Douglas moderately below national risk

With a composite risk score of 44.34 and Relatively Low rating, Douglas County sits slightly above the national average, indicating moderate but manageable natural disaster exposure. This middle-ground profile reflects balanced hazard exposure across multiple threat types.

Slightly above Minnesota's average

Douglas County's 44.34 score edges past Minnesota's 42.38 average, placing it in the mid-range of the state's risk profile. Most Minnesota residents face comparable or higher disaster exposure.

Similar risk to nearby counties

Douglas County's 44.34 aligns closely with neighboring Faribault County (45.52) and falls well below Crow Wing County (77.54), positioning it as a moderate-risk area in central Minnesota. This consistency reflects shared geographic and climatic conditions.

Wildfire and tornado require attention

Douglas County faces wildfire risk at 50.29 and tornado risk at 62.47, with flood risk at 48.19 completing its hazard profile. The combination of these three threats makes comprehensive preparation essential.

Complete insurance coverage protects assets

Homeowners should maintain standard coverage plus tornado and wildfire riders to address Douglas County's primary threats. Create and maintain a defensible space around your home, and consider flood insurance if you're in a higher-risk area.

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.