CountyScore

Freeborn County

Minnesota · MN

#61 in Minnesota
69.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Freeborn County, Minnesota

38% better than national baseline

Freeborn County scores 69.4, exceeding the national median of 50.0 by 38% and placing it well ahead of typical U.S. counties for livability. The score reflects genuine competitive advantages in affordability and stability.

Slightly below Minnesota average

At 69.4, Freeborn ranks just below Minnesota's state average of 70.9 and is the lowest scorer among these eight counties. It remains respectable within the state's broader county rankings.

Strong housing affordability

Freeborn shines with a cost score of 79.8, offering median homes at $164,900 and rent at just $837/month—among the most affordable in this group. The tax burden is also modest at 1.061%.

Income and health need attention

The income score of 28.4 with median household income of $69,012 is well below state norms, and the health score of 72.9 trails most peers here. Risk exposure of 49.0 suggests moderate vulnerabilities to economic or environmental stress.

Budget option for cost-conscious residents

Freeborn County appeals to budget-conscious families and retirees seeking maximum affordability with decent stability and access to services. It's Minnesota's no-frills rural option for those who prioritize low cost of living above all else.

Score breakdown

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

Tax72.4Cost79.8SafetyComing SoonHealth72.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome28.4Risk49WaterComing Soon
🏛72.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼28.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤72.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡49
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 Freeborn County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Baxter County
Arkansas
69.4
Median income: $48,427
Desha County
Arkansas
69.4
Median income: $36,064
Bleckley County
Georgia
69.4
Median income: $53,005
Dawson County
Georgia
69.4
Median income: $88,986
Lamar County
Georgia
69.4
Median income: $68,457

Deep Dives

Freeborn County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Freeborn County

via TaxByCounty

Freeborn taxes notably above national median

Freeborn County's effective rate of 1.061% exceeds the national median of roughly 0.85%, placing it in approximately the 65th percentile for property tax burden. With a median home value of $164,900—well below the national median of $281,900—residents pay $1,750 annually, less than the national median of $2,690.

Ranks 9th-highest in Minnesota

Freeborn County's 1.061% effective rate significantly exceeds Minnesota's state average of 0.968%, making it one of the state's higher-taxed counties. The median tax bill of $1,750 falls below the state median of $2,168, though the rate itself stands notably above state norms.

Heaviest tax burden in the region

Freeborn's 1.061% rate ranks as the highest among its immediate regional neighbors, outpacing Fillmore County (0.947%) and Faribault County (1.051%). Only Cottonwood County (1.128%) carries a higher burden in the broader south-central region.

What $165K home costs annually

A median-priced home in Freeborn valued at $164,900 generates approximately $1,750 in annual property taxes at the county's 1.061% rate. Homeowners with mortgages pay $1,745, while those without mortgages pay $1,758.

Appeal to contest high assessments

Freeborn County's relatively high tax rate makes accurate assessment even more critical—overvaluations carry extra sting in a higher-tax environment. Contact the county assessor's office to request a formal review of your home's value; successful appeals can deliver meaningful savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Freeborn County

via CostByCounty

Freeborn County tracks Minnesota's state average

At 14.6%, Freeborn County's rent-to-income ratio nearly mirrors Minnesota's state average of 14.5%, with renters paying $837 monthly on a $69,012 median income. This alignment places Freeborn squarely within state norms for affordability, neither advantaged nor disadvantaged regionally.

Freeborn sits at Minnesota's affordability median

Freeborn County's 14.6% rent-to-income ratio closely matches Minnesota's 14.5% average, placing it in the middle tier of state counties surveyed. Its $837 median rent and $69,012 income are typical for southern Minnesota rural communities.

Freeborn outpaced by Fillmore and Dodge

Freeborn's 14.6% rent-to-income ratio trails nearby Fillmore (12.2%) and Dodge (13.0%), though it beats Faribault (15.6%) among southern Minnesota peers. The county's $837 rent is identical to Faribault's, but slightly lower incomes make affordability more stretched here.

14.6% of income goes to rent monthly

Renters allocate $837 monthly while homeowners spend $888 on a $69,012 median income, consuming 14.6% and 15.4% respectively. Both figures sit comfortably within the 30% affordability threshold, offering households reasonable flexibility for other expenses.

Freeborn offers solid, unremarkable stability

Freeborn County suits relocators seeking typical rural Minnesota affordability without standout advantages or drawbacks. Rent runs $837 and homeownership costs $888 monthly on a $69,012 income—middle-of-the-road housing costs with middle-of-the-road incomes.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Freeborn County

via IncomeByCounty

Freeborn County slightly below U.S. median

Freeborn County's median household income of $69,012 runs 7.7% below the national median of $74,755, reflecting its rural Minnesota character. The county's manufacturing and agricultural sectors provide steady employment despite modest wage levels.

Below Minnesota's income benchmark

At $69,012, Freeborn ranks below Minnesota's state average of $75,757 by $6,745 per household. Per capita income of $38,696 falls slightly short of the state average of $39,335.

Mid-range among southern counties

Freeborn's $69,012 median income ranks between Cottonwood ($68,239) and Crow Wing ($71,343), reflecting similar rural economic structures. The county's diversified manufacturing base supports more stable wages than purely agricultural counties.

Reasonable housing cost burden

Freeborn's rent-to-income ratio of 14.6% falls within acceptable ranges, indicating housing costs claim a moderate share of household income. The median home value of $164,900 offers affordable homeownership for middle-income families.

Build wealth through patient investing

Freeborn's moderate income and reasonable housing costs create a foundation for gradual wealth accumulation with disciplined saving. Explore employer benefits, establish consistent investment contributions, and consider home equity as a long-term wealth-building strategy.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Freeborn County

via HealthByCounty

Freeborn Trails National Health Benchmarks

At 78.1 years, Freeborn County's life expectancy falls 0.8 years short of the U.S. average of 78.9 years, indicating health challenges relative to the nation. With 17.8% reporting poor or fair health—the highest rate in this analysis—Freeborn significantly exceeds the national average of 15.3%. These gaps suggest elevated chronic disease, limited preventive care access, or both.

Struggling Below Minnesota Averages

Freeborn's 78.1-year life expectancy is the lowest in Minnesota's comparison set, trailing the state average of 78.7 years by six months. The county's 17.8% poor/fair health rate far exceeds Minnesota's typical performance, the worst in this analysis. Freeborn faces systemic health challenges requiring targeted prevention and access improvements.

Lowest Performer Among Peers

Freeborn's 78.1-year life expectancy is the lowest in this regional analysis, significantly behind all neighbors including Cottonwood (78.3) and Fillmore (79.6). At 17.8% poor/fair health, Freeborn's burden is notably higher than every other county analyzed here. These metrics suggest Freeborn faces economic, healthcare access, or lifestyle challenges that demand urgent attention.

High Uninsured Rate, Moderate Access

Freeborn's uninsured rate of 8.3% is the highest in this analysis, well above Minnesota's 6.0% average and leaving many vulnerable to medical debt. With 65 primary care providers and 141 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, Freeborn's access is moderate but insufficient to address population health needs. Uninsured rates combined with provider limits create a concerning care gap.

Don't Delay—Get Coverage Now

With Freeborn's 8.3% uninsured rate, coverage gaps are leaving residents at risk for catastrophic medical debt and preventable deaths. Marketplace plans with tax credits and Medicaid expansion are available; check your eligibility immediately. Call 1-800-MEDICARE, visit healthcare.gov, or contact a community health center to enroll in affordable coverage today.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Freeborn County

via RiskByCounty

Freeborn moderately below national average

Freeborn County's composite risk score of 50.99 with Relatively Low rating sits moderately above the national average, indicating balanced but manageable natural disaster exposure. This profile reflects typical Upper Midwest hazard patterns.

Slightly above Minnesota's average

At 50.99, Freeborn County ranks above Minnesota's 42.38 average, placing it in the moderate-risk band across the state. Roughly half of Minnesota counties face comparable or lower disaster vulnerability.

Riskier than neighboring Dodge County

Freeborn's 50.99 far exceeds safe Dodge County (14.22) but aligns closely with Fillmore County (49.78) and Faribault County (45.52). This positioning reflects southern Minnesota's generally moderate hazard exposure.

Tornadoes represent primary threat

Tornado risk dominates in Freeborn County at 79.64, well above state and national averages, with flood risk at 49.14 providing secondary concern. Wildfire risk remains relatively low at 24.36.

Tornado protection is priority one

Freeborn County residents must carry homeowners insurance with a dedicated tornado or severe weather rider to address the county's most significant threat. Install a weather alert system and identify or create a safe room for protection during violent storms.

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.