countyscore
51
County Score
Water Quality 86Health 83.5Income & Jobs 66.7

County Report Card

About Hubbard County, Minnesota

Defining the National Median

Hubbard County scores a 50.3, landing it almost exactly at the national median. It represents a typical American livability experience across its various data dimensions.

Falling Behind State Peers

While it meets the national average, Hubbard trails the Minnesota state average of 55.8. Compared to other Minnesota counties, it faces some headwinds in schools and costs.

Pristine Water and Good Health

Standout metrics include a Water score of 86.0 and a Health score of 83.5. Additionally, an effective tax rate of 0.816% provides some relief to the local taxpayer.

Education and Cost Concerns

The School score of 35.1 is the county's lowest metric, followed by a Cost score of 32.5. High home values relative to local incomes create a tighter market for new residents.

Great for Outdoor Enthusiasts

This county is a strong fit for retirees or couples without children who value clean water and healthcare. It rewards those who prioritize natural resources over educational scores.

204060801005235.841.483.535.166.764.88647.3Tax52Cost35.8Safety41.4Health83.5Schools35.1Income66.7Risk64.8Water86Weather47.351/100
This county
National avg
4 above average3 below average

Hubbard County DNA

Foverall

How Hubbard County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Hubbard County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Health (83.5/100) but notably weak in Schools (35.1/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
52
Cost
35.8-12.200000000000003
Safety
41.4-13.600000000000001
Health
83.5+33.5
Schools
35.1-18.9
Income
66.7+15.700000000000003
Risk
64.8+17.799999999999997
Water
86+28
Weather
47.3-8.700000000000003
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Compare mortgage rates in Hubbard County

Whether buying or refinancing in Hubbard County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$282,600

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$905/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$282,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$36,200/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $71,995/yr
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Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

9.2

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Deep Dives

Hubbard County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Hubbard County

via TaxByCounty

Hubbard County taxes run well below national

Hubbard County's effective tax rate of 0.816% falls in the 28th percentile nationally, placing it among the lowest-taxed counties in the United States. The median property tax of $2,087 is substantially below the national median of $2,690, despite a home value ($255,900) close to the U.S. average ($281,900).

Among Minnesota's most affordable

Hubbard County's 0.816% rate ranks among the lowest in Minnesota, well below the state average of 0.968%. With a median property tax of just $2,087, Hubbard residents enjoy one of the state's most favorable tax environments.

Tax champion of the north

Hubbard County's 0.816% rate is the lowest in the profiled region, beating Itasca (0.873%), Grant (0.939%), and all other neighboring counties by a significant margin. For northern Minnesota homeowners, Hubbard stands out as exceptionally tax-friendly.

Hubbard homeowners pay less tax

A median-priced home valued at $255,900 in Hubbard County generates an estimated annual property tax of just $2,087. That's roughly $174 per month—among the lowest property tax burdens in the state.

Even low taxes deserve a review

Although Hubbard County offers tax-friendly rates, homeowners should still verify their assessments are accurate to ensure they're not overpaying. Submitting an appeal to the county assessor is straightforward and costs nothing—a potential way to save money even in a low-tax environment.

Income & Jobs in Hubbard County

via IncomeByCounty

Hubbard County below national income standard

Hubbard County's median household income of $70,622 falls 5.5% short of the U.S. median of $74,755. The county reflects lower-income rural patterns common to northern Minnesota.

Among Minnesota's lower-earning counties

At $70,622, Hubbard County ranks below Minnesota's state average of $75,757 by $5,135, placing it in the lower tier of the state's 87 counties. Residents here earn notably less than the statewide typical household.

Hubbard trails most comparison counties

Hubbard's $70,622 income lags Goodhue ($82,749), Houston ($77,087), Grant ($72,957), and Itasca ($66,380) across the region. The $255,900 median home value is mid-range, but represents a heavier burden relative to lower incomes.

Rising housing burden in Hubbard County

Hubbard's rent-to-income ratio of 15.7% exceeds the 15% affordability threshold, signaling that renters spend more than recommended on housing. The $255,900 median home value requires 3.6 years of gross household income—a stretch for median earners.

Build financial resilience carefully in Hubbard

With incomes below state average and housing costs pressing the affordability limit, Hubbard County residents should prioritize emergency savings of 3-6 months expenses first. Once stabilized, even small investments like automatic transfers to a savings account create protection against unexpected hardship.

Safety in Hubbard County

via CrimeByCounty

Hubbard County Beats National Crime Averages

Hubbard County’s total crime rate of 1,326.9 per 100,000 is roughly half the national average of 2,385.5. This earns the county a robust safety score of 97.9.

Local Safety Relative to Minnesota Averages

The crime rate here is slightly higher than the Minnesota average of 1,123.5 per 100,000. Hubbard sits just below the state’s average safety score of 98.2.

Regional Comparisons Show Moderate Activity

Hubbard's rate of 1,326.9 is roughly double that of Itasca County (699.1) but remains lower than Goodhue (1,671.0). Three agencies monitor the public safety landscape for the county's residents.

Understanding Violent and Property Crime Levels

The data shows 190.9 violent crimes and 1,136.0 property crimes per 100,000 residents. While property crime is the main factor, violent crime also tracks slightly above the state average of 153.0.

Securing Your Home Against Theft

Homeowners can benefit from reinforced door frames and window locks to address the local property crime rate. Active monitoring and community communication help prevent theft in this mid-sized county.

Weather & Climate in Hubbard County

via WeatherByCounty

A True Northern Climate

Hubbard's 40.4°F annual average is nearly 14 degrees colder than the national median. This northern climate is defined by long, deep winters and short, mild summers.

Colder and Drier than Average

The county is significantly colder than the Minnesota average of 42.8°F. It also receives less moisture, with 23.9 inches of annual precipitation compared to the 30.0-inch state average.

Warmer than Its Eastern Neighbor

Hubbard is slightly warmer than neighboring Itasca to the east, which averages a chilling 39.1°F. However, it remains much drier than the central counties like Kanabec.

Deep Freezes and Comfortable Summers

Winters are harsh with a January average of 7.6°F, while July highs reach a comfortable 68.7°F. While specific snowfall totals are currently unavailable, the 11.4°F winter average ensures a consistent snowpack.

Focus on Winter Survival

Prioritize high-efficiency heating and superior home insulation to survive the sub-zero January lows. Summer planning is simpler, as extreme heat only occurs about 5 days per year.

Soil Quality in Hubbard County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic and Sandy Northern Earth

Hubbard County features an acidic pH of 5.45, which is notably lower than the national median of 6.5. This acidity is typical for the region's forested landscapes and impacts which types of plants will naturally thrive here.

High Sand and Light Texture

The soil is very sandy at 59.3%, with a low clay content of only 8.2%. This creates a light, loose texture that is easy to dig but may require frequent fertilization because it doesn't hold nutrients as long as clay-heavy soils.

Surprising Organic Wealth in the North

Despite being sandy, this soil is rich in organic matter at 11.09%, which exceeds the state average of 9.9%. However, the water capacity of 0.175 in/in is below the state average, as sand particles cannot hold onto moisture as effectively as silt.

Fast Drainage for Sandy Landscapes

With sand making up nearly 60% of the soil, water moves through the ground very quickly. This keeps the soil from staying wet after rain, which is great for building projects but means gardens will dry out fast.

Acid-Loving Plants for Zone 3b

The short growing season of Zone 3b is perfect for blueberries and other acid-loving shrubs that enjoy Hubbard's pH level. Use the high organic matter to your advantage and start a berry patch or a cold-hardy vegetable plot.

Lawn Care in Hubbard County

via LawnByCounty

Challenging Conditions in Hubbard County

Lawn care in Hubbard County is difficult, with a low score of 41.0 compared to the national average of 50.0. Located in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b, lawns here must survive some of the coldest winters in the country. Success requires specialized grass types and significantly more effort than the average Minnesota property.

Dry Air and Short Seasons

The county receives only 23.9 inches of rain, which is 6 inches below the state average and well under the 30-inch ideal for lawns. Only 2,052 growing degree days occur annually, indicating a very short window for grass to grow and recover from damage. Mowing schedules must be flexible to accommodate the limited growing activity during the 68.7°F average July summers.

Acidic and Sandy Soil Hazards

The local soil is quite acidic with a pH of 5.45, often requiring lime applications to reach the ideal 6.0-7.0 range. A very high sand content of 59.3% means water and nutrients drain away rapidly before the grass can use them. Adding organic matter like compost is essential here to build soil structure and improve water retention.

Extreme Drought Vulnerability

Hubbard County has spent 41 weeks in drought over the past year, and 100% of the county is currently classified as abnormally dry. This persistent lack of moisture combined with sandy soil creates high stress for traditional turf. Homeowners should consider drought-resistant Fine Fescues and strict water conservation to keep lawns alive.

Wait for May to Start

With the last spring frost occurring as late as May 14, seeding should not begin until late spring. The window for growth is tight, as the first fall frost arrives on September 25. Focus on the most cold-hardy Zone 3b varieties and ensure they are well-watered before the January average of 7.6°F sets in.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hubbard County's county score?
Hubbard County, Minnesota has a composite county score of 51 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Hubbard County rank among counties in Minnesota?
Hubbard County ranks #55 among all counties in Minnesota on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Hubbard County, Minnesota?
The median annual property tax in Hubbard County is $2,217, with an effective tax rate of 0.78%. This earns Hubbard County a tax score of 52/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Hubbard County?
The median household income in Hubbard County, Minnesota is $71,995 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Hubbard County earns an income score of 66.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Hubbard County, Minnesota a good place to live?
Hubbard County scores 51/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #55 in Minnesota. The best way to evaluate Hubbard County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Hubbard County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.