Grant County's composite score of 75.4 beats the national median of 50.0 by 25 points, placing it in the top 25% of U.S. counties for overall livability. This above-average performance reflects strong fundamentals across multiple dimensions.
2 / 5
Minnesota's strongest smaller county
Grant ranks in the top tier of Minnesota counties with a score of 75.4, outpacing the state average of 70.9 by more than 4 points. Among Minnesota's smaller counties, it's a standout performer in the livability index.
3 / 5
Affordability and risk resilience shine
Grant County's standout feature is exceptional affordability: housing costs are lowest on the index with a median home value of $178,600 and rent at just $779/month, earning a cost score of 80.3. The risk score of 97.0 is among the state's highest, indicating strong economic resilience and stability.
4 / 5
Income opportunities remain limited
The county's primary constraint is income potential, with a score of 31.0 and median household income of $72,957—the lowest in this group. Health outcomes are solid at 75.8, but somewhat below the strongest performers.
5 / 5
Perfect for cost-conscious rural families
Grant County is ideal for families seeking maximum affordability and economic stability without prioritizing high incomes. This county delivers exceptional value for those content with modest earnings and wanting to stretch every dollar in a resilient, stable community.
Grant County's composite score of 75.4 beats the national median of 50.0 by 25 points, placing it in the top 25% of U.S. counties for overall livability. This above-average performance reflects strong fundamentals across multiple dimensions.
Minnesota's strongest smaller county
Grant ranks in the top tier of Minnesota counties with a score of 75.4, outpacing the state average of 70.9 by more than 4 points. Among Minnesota's smaller counties, it's a standout performer in the livability index.
Affordability and risk resilience shine
Grant County's standout feature is exceptional affordability: housing costs are lowest on the index with a median home value of $178,600 and rent at just $779/month, earning a cost score of 80.3. The risk score of 97.0 is among the state's highest, indicating strong economic resilience and stability.
Income opportunities remain limited
The county's primary constraint is income potential, with a score of 31.0 and median household income of $72,957—the lowest in this group. Health outcomes are solid at 75.8, but somewhat below the strongest performers.
Perfect for cost-conscious rural families
Grant County is ideal for families seeking maximum affordability and economic stability without prioritizing high incomes. This county delivers exceptional value for those content with modest earnings and wanting to stretch every dollar in a resilient, stable community.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛75.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Grant County's effective tax rate of 0.939% falls below the national median, placing it in the 48th percentile—roughly average compared to other U.S. counties. The median property tax of $1,677 is substantially lower than the national median of $2,690, despite having a home value ($178,600) well below the U.S. average ($281,900).
Below Minnesota's statewide average
Grant County's 0.939% effective rate is slightly lower than Minnesota's state average of 0.968%, placing it in the middle third of the state's 87 counties. The median tax bill of $1,677 trails the state median of $2,168 by nearly $500 annually.
Among the region's most affordable
Grant County's 0.939% rate is meaningfully lower than Houston County (1.163%), Goodhue County (1.064%), and Isanti County (1.042%), making it one of the region's most tax-friendly rural counties. Only Hubbard County (0.816%) and Itasca County (0.873%) approach Grant's relative affordability in the surrounding area.
Grant County homeowners pay less
A median-priced home valued at $178,600 in Grant County results in an estimated annual property tax of $1,677. That translates to roughly $140 per month—among the lowest effective burdens in Minnesota.
Even here, assessments deserve review
Even in a low-tax county like Grant, homeowners should verify their property assessments are accurate, as overvaluation still occurs. Filing an appeal with the county assessor costs nothing and could unlock tax savings if your home's current market value has declined or your property's condition warrants a lower assessment.
Grant County's rent-to-income ratio of 12.8% ranks among Minnesota's best and beats the national affordability standard of 30% by a wide margin. Residents spend just $779 monthly on rent—nearly $100 below state average—while earning close to the national median income.
Minnesota's most affordable county
With a 12.8% rent-to-income ratio, Grant County outperforms nearly every other Minnesota county, sitting well below the state's 14.5% average. The county's combination of low rents and stable incomes creates one of Minnesota's strongest affordability profiles.
Deepest discounts in the region
At $779 monthly, Grant County rents undercut all comparable counties—Jackson at $736 and Goodhue at $939 offer different trade-offs, but Grant's $72,957 median income makes its rents most attainable. Among its peer group, Grant delivers exceptional value.
Rent and mortgages stay lean
Grant County renters pay $779 while homeowners commit $929 monthly, with homes averaging $178,600—the region's lowest. Housing totals just 12.8% of the $72,957 median household income, leaving substantial room for savings and discretionary spending.
Affordability champion of Minnesota
If cost of living is your priority, Grant County is Minnesota's standout—lowest rents, low home values, and a rent-to-income ratio that beats the national standard. Relocating here means stretching your paycheck further while accessing small-town Minnesota living.
Grant County's median household income of $72,957 sits just 2.4% below the national median of $74,755. The county holds its own despite slightly trailing the U.S. average.
Among Minnesota's lower-income counties
At $72,957, Grant County ranks below Minnesota's state average of $75,757 by about $2,800. It places in the lower-middle range of Minnesota's 87 counties, reflecting rural economic patterns.
Grant trails nearby Goodhue significantly
Grant County's $72,957 median income lags Goodhue County ($82,749) by nearly $10,000 and also trails Houston County ($77,087) in the region. The $178,600 median home value is the most affordable among these three neighbors.
Rental affordability strong in Grant County
Grant County's 12.8% rent-to-income ratio is the best in this cohort, sitting comfortably below the 15% affordability threshold. Lower home values and moderate rents make housing a manageable expense even at median income levels.
Maximize savings in affordable Grant County
With lower housing costs consuming just 12.8% of income, Grant County residents have room to build emergency funds and retirement accounts. Starting small—even $50 monthly into a savings account—creates a foundation for wealth growth over time.
Grant residents live to 77.0 years on average, 1.7 years below Minnesota's 78.7-year average and 2.6 years below the U.S. rate of 76.4 years. With 15.8% reporting poor or fair health—well above the national average of 13.5%—the county faces significant health challenges.
Grant ranks among Minnesota's lowest health counties
Grant County's 77.0-year life expectancy places it in the lowest quartile of Minnesota's 87 counties, and its 15.8% poor/fair health rate ranks among the worst statewide. These metrics signal urgent need for targeted health interventions.
Grant significantly lags neighboring counties
Grant's 77.0-year life expectancy is the lowest among its region, trailing Goodhue County (78.7 years) by 1.7 years and Houston County (79.6 years) by 2.6 years. The county's 15.8% poor/fair health rate exceeds all nearby counties.
Critical shortage of healthcare providers
Grant County has just 33 primary care providers and 16 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—far below state norms and among the lowest in Minnesota. With 6.2% of residents uninsured, access to care is hampered by both provider scarcity and cost barriers.
Access health coverage now.
If you're uninsured, don't wait—enrollment is open through December 15th. Visit MNsure.org or call 1-855-366-7873 to find affordable coverage and connect with Grant County's limited provider network.
With a composite risk score of just 2.99, Grant County ranks in the very low category—far below the national average and among the safest counties in the United States. This exceptional resilience reflects limited exposure to major natural disaster hazards.
Minnesota's safest county by a wide margin
Grant County's 2.99 score is dramatically lower than Minnesota's state average of 42.38, making it one of the most protected counties in the state. This gives residents substantially lower natural disaster risk compared to peers statewide.
Safe haven in west-central Minnesota
Grant County's 2.99 score is significantly lower than nearby Houston County (29.52) and Hubbard County (35.18), and ranks as the safest across all adjacent territories. This isolated position reflects the county's geographic advantages and lower exposure profile.
Tornado risk remains the primary concern
Even as the state's lowest-risk county, tornadoes represent Grant County's highest hazard at 20.45, though still well below national norms. Other hazards like flood (8.71) and wildfire (14.28) remain minimal, creating a genuinely safe environment.
Maintain basic coverage for rare events
Standard homeowners insurance remains important even in low-risk areas, particularly for windstorm and tornado coverage during spring seasons. A basement or safe room provides affordable, passive protection for severe weather, and insurance review every few years ensures your policy stays current.