CountyScore

Kanabec County

Minnesota · MN

#53 in Minnesota
69.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Kanabec County, Minnesota

Kanabec scores well above the national baseline

With a composite score of 69.9 out of 100, Kanabec County ranks significantly above the national median of 50, placing it in the upper half of U.S. counties. This 40-point margin shows the county delivers measurably better livability than most American places on key metrics like affordability, health, and tax burden.

Slightly below Minnesota's county average

Kanabec's 69.9 score falls just short of Minnesota's state average of 70.9, making it a solid performer within a strong peer group. Among the state's 87 counties, Kanabec ranks in the upper third, reflecting consistent quality across multiple livability dimensions.

Strong on affordability, health, and resilience

Kanabec excels in risk mitigation (78.7), health outcomes (75.2), and housing affordability with a cost score of 72.8—median homes valued at just $221,100 and rent at $1,003/month. The county's effective tax rate of 1.114% is also competitive, keeping the tax burden reasonable for residents.

Income levels lag considerably

With a median household income of $71,915 and an income score of just 30.3, Kanabec struggles with wage growth compared to state peers. This represents the county's primary livability constraint, suggesting limited high-paying employment opportunities in the local economy.

Best for cost-conscious families seeking small-town stability

Kanabec County suits families and retirees prioritizing affordable housing, low taxes, and good health infrastructure over maximum earning potential. If you're drawn to rural Minnesota life with manageable costs and reliable community health systems, Kanabec delivers solid livability without premium wages.

Score breakdown

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

Tax70.9Cost72.8SafetyComing SoonHealth75.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome30.3Risk78.7WaterComing Soon
🏛70.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠72.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼30.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤75.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡78.7
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 Kanabec County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Cullman County
Alabama
69.9
Median income: $60,916
Union County
Arkansas
69.9
Median income: $50,221
Fannin County
Georgia
69.9
Median income: $58,073
Cheyenne County
Kansas
69.9
Median income: $55,765
Jackson County
Kansas
69.9
Median income: $72,703

Deep Dives

Kanabec County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Kanabec County

via TaxByCounty

Kanabec taxes above the national norm

At 1.114%, Kanabec's effective tax rate runs well above the national median of 0.84%, putting the county in the upper tier nationally. The typical Kanabec homeowner pays $2,463 annually—below the national median of $2,690—thanks to lower property values, but the rate itself signals higher-than-average tax burden.

Kanabec ranks high among Minnesota counties

Kanabec's 1.114% effective rate exceeds Minnesota's state average of 0.968% by about 15%, placing it in the top third of Minnesota counties by tax rate. The county's median tax of $2,463 runs notably higher than the state median of $2,168.

Kanabec carries heavier burden than peers

Compared to neighboring counties, Kanabec stands out: Kittson County's rate is 0.916% and Koochiching is 0.799%, both notably lower. Among similar-sized rural Minnesota counties, Kanabec's tax rate is decidedly on the steeper side.

Your estimated annual Kanabec property tax

Own a home worth the county median of $221,100? Expect to pay roughly $2,463 annually in property taxes. For those with mortgages, that bill typically lands around $2,555; without a mortgage, about $2,342.

Appeal your assessment if you're overvalued

Many Minnesota homeowners are assessed above fair market value and never realize they can appeal. If your home's assessed value seems high relative to recent sales in your neighborhood, filing an appeal with the county assessor costs nothing and could lower your annual tax bill substantially.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Kanabec County

via CostByCounty

Kanabec rents outpace national affordability

Kanabec County residents spend 16.7% of their income on rent, well above the national comfort zone of 12–14%. While the county's median household income of $71,915 sits slightly below the national average of $74,755, rental costs have climbed to $1,003 per month, putting pressure on renters relative to their earnings.

Above-average rent burden in Minnesota

Kanabec's 16.7% rent-to-income ratio ranks above Minnesota's state average of 14.5%, indicating tighter housing affordability than most of the state. The county's median rent of $1,003 is also $88 higher than Minnesota's state average of $915, a 10% premium.

Kanabec costs more than nearby peers

Kanabec renters pay $1,003 monthly—$175 more than Kittson County ($728) and $95 more than Koochiching County ($774) just across the border. Despite similar median incomes across the region ($69,000–$72,000), Kanabec's housing costs are notably steeper than its rural neighbors.

Rent consumes large share of income

Renters in Kanabec dedicate 16.7% of their $71,915 annual income to rent, while homeowners pay $1,143 monthly against homes valued at $221,100. Together, rental and ownership costs reveal a county where housing security requires careful budgeting, especially for lower-income households.

Consider the rental math carefully

If affordability is your priority, Kanabec's rental market may stretch tighter than nearby Kittson or Koochiching counties, where rent burdens dip below 13%. However, home values remain reasonable at $221,100, making homeownership a potential long-term relief for those who can save for a down payment.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Kanabec County

via IncomeByCounty

Kanabec Trails National Income Standard

Kanabec County's median household income of $71,915 falls about $2,840 short of the national median of $74,755. While this 3.8% gap is modest, it reflects the county's positioning slightly below the U.S. average for household earnings.

Middle Ground in Minnesota Rankings

At $71,915, Kanabec ranks below Minnesota's state average of $75,757, placing it in the middle tier among the state's 87 counties. The county earns about $3,842 less than the state median, indicating room for wage growth.

Competing with Regional Peers

Kanabec's $71,915 median income falls below nearby Kandiyohi County ($75,097) but outpaces Kittson County ($69,615) and Lake of the Woods County ($70,091). The variation across neighboring counties suggests different economic drivers and job markets in the region.

Rents Affordable for Most Households

With a rent-to-income ratio of 16.7%, Kanabec households spend less than one-fifth of income on housing—comfortably under the 30% threshold recommended by housing experts. A median home value of $221,100 remains accessible for homebuyers earning the county median.

Building Financial Security in Kanabec

Households earning Kanabec's median of $71,915 have solid ground to build savings and investment portfolios, especially with reasonable housing costs. Consider consulting a local financial advisor to create a plan for retirement accounts, emergency funds, and long-term wealth growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Kanabec County

via HealthByCounty

Kanabec's life expectancy lags national average

Kanabec residents live an average of 77.4 years, about 2 years below the U.S. average of 79.3 years. The county's poor or fair health rate stands at 16.0%, slightly above the national average, suggesting residents face higher rates of chronic illness and ongoing health challenges.

Below-average health outcomes within Minnesota

At 77.4 years, Kanabec's life expectancy trails Minnesota's state average of 78.7 years by 1.3 years. The county ranks in the lower half statewide for overall health outcomes, indicating residents experience greater health burdens than most Minnesotans.

Health challenges compared to regional peers

Kanabec's 77.4-year life expectancy falls short of neighboring Kandiyohi County (79.8 years) and Lac qui Parle County (79.3 years), though it exceeds Kittson County (75.8 years) and Koochiching County (76.9 years). The county's 16.0% poor/fair health rate is among the highest in its region.

Moderate insurance coverage, solid primary care

Kanabec's uninsured rate of 6.9% slightly exceeds Minnesota's 6.0% average, meaning roughly 1 in 15 residents lack health coverage. The county has 99 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—well above the state median—and 229 mental health providers per 100,000, indicating decent access to both primary and behavioral health services.

Explore your coverage options today

If you're among the 6.9% of uninsured Kanabec residents, now is the time to explore your options. Visit MNsure.org to compare plans, check eligibility for subsidies, and enroll in coverage that fits your family's needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Kanabec County

via RiskByCounty

Kanabec ranks well below national risk

With a composite risk score of 21.31, Kanabec County sits in the Very Low category—far safer than the national average. This score reflects relatively modest exposure to the natural hazards that typically affect Minnesota communities.

One of Minnesota's safest counties

Kanabec's score of 21.31 is less than half the state average of 42.38, placing it well below the middle of the pack among Minnesota counties. The county benefits from moderate risk across all major hazard types.

Safer than most surrounding areas

Kanabec outperforms nearby Koochiching County (31.49) and rivals Lac qui Parle County (18.80) as one of the region's lower-risk areas. Its composite score reflects a balanced, manageable hazard profile compared to neighbors.

Wildfire and flood dominate here

Wildfire risk scores 63.33—Kanabec's most pressing threat—while flood risk stands at 34.54. Tornado risk (38.01) rounds out the top three, though all remain below state averages.

Wildfire coverage matters most

Standard homeowners policies may not cover wildfire damage; verify your coverage includes this hazard. Flood insurance is also worth evaluating, especially if your property sits in or near a flood zone.

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.