Goodhue County's composite score of 70.1 is 40 points above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 40% of U.S. counties. This means residents enjoy above-average livability across measured dimensions compared to typical American communities.
2 / 5
Slightly below average for Minnesota
Goodhue ranks near the middle of Minnesota's 87 counties with a score of 70.1, just slightly below the state average of 70.9. While competitive within Minnesota, the county shows less advantage over peers than it does nationally.
3 / 5
Health and tax efficiency lead the way
Goodhue excels in health outcomes with a score of 80.7 and maintains an efficient tax burden of 1.064%, translating to a tax score of 72.3. The county also offers reasonably affordable housing with a median home value of $269,400 and median rent of $939/month.
4 / 5
Income growth lags significantly
Income remains the county's weakest dimension at 37.4, with a median household income of just $82,749—below what many comparable counties achieve. Risk mitigation scores at 56.7, suggesting room for improvement in safety and stability metrics.
5 / 5
Ideal for health-conscious budget seekers
Goodhue suits families and retirees prioritizing health, wellness, and tax efficiency over high earning potential. The county delivers solid livability for those content with moderate incomes and seeking a stable, affordable community in the upper Midwest.
Goodhue County's composite score of 70.1 is 40 points above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 40% of U.S. counties. This means residents enjoy above-average livability across measured dimensions compared to typical American communities.
Slightly below average for Minnesota
Goodhue ranks near the middle of Minnesota's 87 counties with a score of 70.1, just slightly below the state average of 70.9. While competitive within Minnesota, the county shows less advantage over peers than it does nationally.
Health and tax efficiency lead the way
Goodhue excels in health outcomes with a score of 80.7 and maintains an efficient tax burden of 1.064%, translating to a tax score of 72.3. The county also offers reasonably affordable housing with a median home value of $269,400 and median rent of $939/month.
Income growth lags significantly
Income remains the county's weakest dimension at 37.4, with a median household income of just $82,749—below what many comparable counties achieve. Risk mitigation scores at 56.7, suggesting room for improvement in safety and stability metrics.
Ideal for health-conscious budget seekers
Goodhue suits families and retirees prioritizing health, wellness, and tax efficiency over high earning potential. The county delivers solid livability for those content with moderate incomes and seeking a stable, affordable community in the upper Midwest.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛72.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Goodhue County's effective tax rate of 1.064% ranks in the 73rd percentile nationally, meaning it's higher than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties. The median property tax here is $2,866, slightly above the national median of $2,690, even though the typical home value ($269,400) is lower than the U.S. average ($281,900).
Above average among Minnesota counties
Goodhue's 1.064% rate exceeds Minnesota's state average of 0.968% by about one percentage point. Among the state's 87 counties, Goodhue ranks in the higher tier for property tax burden, pulling in a median tax of $2,866 compared to the state median of $2,168.
Heavier than most regional peers
Goodhue's 1.064% rate surpasses neighboring Houston County (1.163%) slightly, but both substantially exceed Hubbard County (0.816%) and Itasca County (0.873%) in the broader region. Among comparable rural-metro counties, Goodhue sits firmly in the upper half of the tax burden range.
What Goodhue homeowners actually pay
A median-priced home worth $269,400 in Goodhue County generates an estimated annual property tax of $2,866. That's roughly $239 per month—a meaningful expense for budgeting homeowners in the county.
Your assessment might be too high
Many Goodhue County homeowners are overassessed relative to comparable properties, creating an opportunity to file a formal appeal with the county assessor. A successful challenge could lower your taxable value and reduce your annual bill, especially if your home's condition or market position has changed since the last assessment.
Renters in Goodhue County spend 13.6% of household income on rent, well below the national affordability threshold of 30% and better than Minnesota's state average of 14.5%. The county's median household income of $82,749 outpaces the national median by $8,000, cushioning housing costs.
Mid-pack affordability across Minnesota
Goodhue ranks in the middle tier of Minnesota's 87 counties for rental affordability, with a rent-to-income ratio nearly a point better than state average. At $939 monthly rent, the county charges $24 more than Minnesota's median but residents earn enough to absorb the difference comfortably.
Slightly pricier than nearby counties
Goodhue's $939 rent exceeds Houston County's $881 and Grant County's $779, but its residents earn higher incomes to match. Among southeastern Minnesota counties, Goodhue offers a balance of moderate housing costs and strong wage earning.
Housing eats 13–14% of income
Renters spend $939 monthly while homeowners commit $1,268, with the typical home valued at $269,400. Together, housing claims roughly 13.6% of the median $82,749 household income—leaving plenty of budget room for other essentials.
Strong wages, manageable housing costs
If you're comparing counties for affordability and income stability, Goodhue delivers above-average earnings with below-average housing burden. The county's rent-to-income ratio of 13.6% ranks among Minnesota's most livable, making it an attractive relocation target for budget-conscious professionals.
Goodhue County's median household income of $82,749 outpaces the U.S. median of $74,755 by nearly $8,000. This 11% advantage reflects a stronger-than-average earning power across the county's households.
Above-average earner in Minnesota
At $82,749, Goodhue's median household income ranks above Minnesota's state average of $75,757, placing it in the upper-middle tier of the state's 87 counties. Residents here earn roughly $7,000 more annually than their state average peer.
Goodhue leads surrounding county incomes
Goodhue's $82,749 median income exceeds nearby Houston County ($77,087) and Grant County ($72,957), but trails regional powerhouse Hennepin County at $96,339. The county represents solid middle-class earning strength in southeastern Minnesota.
Housing costs fit comfortably in Goodhue
With a rent-to-income ratio of 13.6%, Goodhue County falls well below the recommended 15% threshold, meaning housing remains affordable for renters earning the median income. A median home value of $269,400 is also accessible at this income level, requiring roughly 3.3 years of gross household income.
Build on Goodhue's income advantage
With incomes outpacing national and state averages, Goodhue households have strong capacity to invest beyond housing. Consider automating retirement savings and diversifying into stocks or bonds to turn this earnings edge into long-term wealth.
Goodhue's life expectancy matches Minnesota's strength
Goodhue residents live to 78.7 years on average, matching Minnesota's state average and exceeding the U.S. life expectancy of 76.4 years. Just 12.8% of the population reports poor or fair health, slightly better than the national rate of 13.5%, indicating strong overall health outcomes.
Goodhue ranks solidly within Minnesota
With a life expectancy of 78.7 years, Goodhue ties the state average and performs in the middle tier of Minnesota's 87 counties. The county's 12.8% poor/fair health rate places it among the healthier counties statewide.
Goodhue outpaces some rural neighbors
Goodhue's 78.7-year life expectancy exceeds Grant County (77.0 years) and Isanti County (78.5 years), though it trails Houston County (79.6 years) and Hubbard County (80.1 years). The county matches state averages on most metrics, reflecting stable healthcare access.
Good access to care, low uninsured rate
Just 5.2% of Goodhue residents lack health insurance—below Minnesota's 6.0% average—with 81 primary care providers and 135 mental health providers per 100,000 residents. This provider density supports accessible, routine healthcare across the county.
Already well-insured? Stay covered.
If you're among Goodhue's 5.2% uninsured residents, November is open enrollment season. Visit MNsure.org or call 1-855-366-7873 to explore plans that fit your family's needs and budget.
With a composite risk score of 43.32, Goodhue County ranks as relatively low risk overall—nearly matching the national baseline. This means residents face moderate natural disaster exposure compared to most U.S. counties, but not among the highest-risk areas.
Slightly above Minnesota's typical risk level
Goodhue's score of 43.32 edges above Minnesota's state average of 42.38, placing it in the middle tier of Minnesota counties. The county sits well below Hennepin County's 98.31 score but above several rural neighbors.
More exposed than Houston County neighbors
Goodhue's 43.32 score is notably higher than Houston County (29.52) to the south and Grant County (2.99) to the west. However, it remains significantly less at-risk than nearby Itasca County (76.72), showing important variation across southeast Minnesota.
Tornadoes and flooding dominate local hazards
Tornadoes pose your greatest threat with a risk score of 70.67—well above the typical baseline for most counties. Flooding ranks second at 53.59, making spring storm season and heavy rainfall events the periods requiring heightened awareness and preparation.
Secure coverage for storms and water damage
Given tornado and flood exposure, homeowners should verify they have windstorm and hail coverage in standard policies, then consider separate flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program. Review your policy annually and maintain a home inventory to accelerate claims if severe weather strikes.