CountyScore

Isanti County

Minnesota · MN

#67 in Minnesota
68.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Isanti County, Minnesota

Isanti performs well above national baseline

Isanti County's composite score of 68.4 is 18.4 points above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 35% of U.S. counties. This competitive standing reflects solid fundamentals across multiple livability areas.

Slightly below Minnesota's overall performance

Isanti ranks just below the Minnesota state average of 70.9 with a score of 68.4, placing it in the middle tier of state counties. The county performs better nationally than within Minnesota's generally strong livability profile.

Income and health lead suburban strengths

Isanti offers the highest median household income in this group at $86,573 with an income score of 39.9, plus solid health outcomes of 79.1. Tax efficiency scores at 73.0, contributing to reasonable overall affordability.

Housing costs strain affordability equation

The county's cost score of 62.9 reflects higher housing pressure, with median home values at $283,200 and rent at $1,241/month—among the highest in this group. This suburban proximity advantage comes with elevated costs.

For suburban families seeking earning potential

Isanti County suits middle-to-upper-income families willing to pay for suburban proximity with decent incomes and health services. It's ideal for commuters and professionals seeking a balance between urban access and rural character.

Score breakdown

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

Tax73Cost62.9SafetyComing SoonHealth79.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome39.9Risk73.1WaterComing Soon
🏛73
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠62.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼39.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤79.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡73.1
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 Isanti County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Morgan County
Alabama
68.4
Median income: $64,858
Mesa County
Colorado
68.4
Median income: $71,485
Levy County
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68.4
Median income: $53,805
Atkinson County
Georgia
68.4
Median income: $38,438
Irwin County
Georgia
68.4
Median income: $53,915

Deep Dives

Isanti County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Isanti County

via TaxByCounty

Isanti's tax rate above U.S. average

Isanti County's effective tax rate of 1.042% ranks in the 71st percentile nationally, meaning it taxes properties more heavily than roughly seven in ten U.S. counties. The median property tax of $2,951 exceeds the national median of $2,690, with a typical home value ($283,200) nearly matching the U.S. average ($281,900).

Above Minnesota's state average

Isanti County's 1.042% effective rate surpasses Minnesota's state average of 0.968% by about three-quarters of a percentage point. The median tax of $2,951 is roughly 36% higher than the state median of $2,168, placing Isanti in the upper tier of Minnesota's 87 counties.

Higher than most regional peers

Isanti County's 1.042% rate exceeds Grant (0.939%), Itasca (0.873%), Hubbard (0.816%), and Jackson (0.914%) counties, though it trails Goodhue (1.064%), Houston (1.163%), and Hennepin (1.152%). Among exurban Twin Cities counties, Isanti carries a notably above-average burden.

Isanti homeowners face meaningful bills

A median-priced home valued at $283,200 in Isanti County results in an estimated annual property tax of $2,951. That's roughly $246 per month—a substantial housing cost that deserves careful review.

Your home might be overassessed

Many Isanti County homeowners are paying tax on inflated assessments and have a right to challenge them through the county assessor's office. A successful appeal to correct an overvaluation could trim your annual tax bill materially, particularly if your home's market value has shifted.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Isanti County

via CostByCounty

Isanti's metro-influenced rents pinch budgets

Isanti County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.2% exceeds both the national affordability threshold and Minnesota's state average of 14.5%, driven by metropolitan influence from nearby Minneapolis. The county's median rent of $1,241 and income of $86,573 reflect its position as an inner-ring exurban county.

Housing affordability below Minnesota average

Isanti County ranks in Minnesota's lower-affordability tier with a 17.2% rent-to-income ratio, placing it among the state's pricier counties despite suburban rather than urban location. The proximity to the Twin Cities drives up housing costs without fully metropolitan-level incomes.

Exurban premium over rural alternatives

Isanti's $1,241 rent significantly exceeds rural neighbors like Grant County at $779 and Jackson County at $736, though its $86,573 income provides slightly better cushioning than Hubbard County. The county's suburban positioning commands a housing cost premium over rural peers.

Housing claims over one-sixth of income

Renters spend $1,241 while homeowners commit $1,503 monthly, with homes valued at $283,200. Together, housing consumes 17.2% of the $86,573 median household income—above optimal levels and approaching strain for many households.

Suburban access with affordability trade-offs

Isanti County offers proximity to Twin Cities jobs and amenities but charges exurban housing premiums that consume 17% of income—more than pure urban or rural alternatives. Consider Isanti if Twin Cities commuting appeals, but compare nearby rural counties for better affordability.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Isanti County

via IncomeByCounty

Isanti County exceeds national income median

Isanti County's median household income of $86,573 outpaces the national median of $74,755 by 15.8%. The county demonstrates strong earning power well above the U.S. average.

Isanti ranks among Minnesota's top earners

At $86,573, Isanti County surpasses Minnesota's state average of $75,757 by $10,816, ranking in the upper-middle tier of the state's 87 counties. Residents earn significantly more than the typical Minnesota household.

Isanti competes with Goodhue for region

Isanti's $86,573 income trails Hennepin County's $96,339 but exceeds Goodhue ($82,749), Houston ($77,087), and Grant ($72,957). The $283,200 median home value reflects suburban strength as exurban growth pushes outward from Minneapolis.

Housing costs strain Isanti budget

Isanti's rent-to-income ratio of 17.2% exceeds the recommended 15% threshold, indicating renters and homeowners spend above-benchmark amounts on housing. The $283,200 median home requires 3.3 years of gross household income—notable for an above-average-earning county.

Invest beyond housing in Isanti

Despite housing pressures, Isanti's $86,573 median income provides room for wealth-building beyond mortgages. Automated retirement contributions and diversified investment accounts help high-earning households convert income advantage into lasting generational wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Isanti County

via HealthByCounty

Isanti approaches state average on key health metrics

Isanti residents live to 78.5 years on average, just 0.2 years below Minnesota's 78.7-year state average and 2.1 years above the U.S. average of 76.4 years. With 13.8% reporting poor or fair health—in line with national trends—the county shows stable overall health.

Isanti ranks near Minnesota's middle tier

Isanti County's 78.5-year life expectancy places it at the state median among Minnesota's 87 counties, slightly below average. The county's 5.8% uninsured rate is just below the state's 6.0% average, indicating typical insurance coverage rates.

Isanti trails some regional health leaders

Isanti's 78.5-year life expectancy is slightly below Goodhue (78.7 years) and trails Houston (79.6 years) and Hubbard (80.1 years), though it exceeds Grant County (77.0 years). The county's 5.8% uninsured rate is middle-of-the-road for its region.

Moderate providers, strong mental health capacity

Isanti has 69 primary care providers and 208 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, offering good mental health access but below-average primary care density. With 5.8% uninsured, most residents can access care, though primary care availability may require travel.

Explore coverage options this season.

If you're uninsured or switching plans, enrollment closes December 15th. Visit MNsure.org or call 1-855-366-7873 to review options and ensure you're covered in 2025.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Isanti County

via RiskByCounty

Isanti ranks significantly below national average risk

With a composite risk score of 26.91, Isanti County ranks as very low risk—well below the national average—placing residents among America's safer disaster zones. This favorable position reflects limited hazard concentration in the metro-adjacent county.

Protected compared to Minnesota state average

Isanti County's 26.91 score sits notably below Minnesota's state average of 42.38, ranking among the state's safer counties. Residents experience substantially reduced disaster risk compared to state peers, particularly urban Hennepin County.

Safer than Houston County and Goodhue neighbors

Isanti's 26.91 score is lower than Goodhue County (43.32) and Houston County (29.52), positioning it among the region's most protected areas. The county benefits from northeast Minnesota's generally moderate risk profile.

Wildfire and tornado present main concerns

Wildfire risk reaches 65.01 for Isanti County, reflecting its forested character and summer seasonal vulnerability. Tornadoes rank second at 50.70, making spring and summer months the critical periods for weather awareness and family preparedness planning.

Seasonal hazard preparedness keeps families safe

Maintain defensible space around your home and verify wildfire coverage with your insurance agent, especially on forested or rural properties. Review tornado safe room options and keep emergency supplies accessible during spring; standard homeowners coverage should include windstorm and hail protection.

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.