CountyScore

Kittson County

Minnesota · MN

#7 in Minnesota
76.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Kittson County, Minnesota

Kittson ranks in the top quartile nationally

Kittson County's composite score of 76.6 towers 26.6 points above the national median of 50, placing it in the top 25% of all U.S. counties for livability. This exceptional ranking reflects consistently strong performance across affordability, health, tax, and risk dimensions.

A top performer among Minnesota counties

Kittson's 76.6 score ranks above Minnesota's state average of 70.9, putting it in the upper tier of the state's 87 counties. The county stands out as one of Minnesota's genuinely livable destinations.

Ultra-affordable housing and exceptional risk protection

Kittson's cost score of 83.7 reflects the lowest median home values ($134,400) and rents ($728/month) among these eight counties, making it a housing bargain. Its risk score of 95.2 is outstanding, signaling strong resilience and stability for long-term planning.

Low incomes constrain household wealth potential

With a median household income of $69,615 and an income score of 28.8, Kittson faces wage limitations that cap household earning power. This represents the county's primary livability trade-off: exceptional affordability paired with limited income growth opportunities.

Perfect for remote workers and retirees seeking stability

Kittson County is ideal for people with external income sources—remote workers, retirees, or those relocating from higher-cost areas—who value unbeatable housing affordability and economic stability. If you can earn elsewhere, Kittson's ultra-low cost of living and strong risk profile make it a compelling choice.

Score breakdown

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

Tax76.5Cost83.7SafetyComing SoonHealth76.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome28.8Risk95.2WaterComing Soon
🏛76.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼28.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤76.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡95.2
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 Kittson County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Catron County
New Mexico
76.6
Median income: $46,439
Piute County
Utah
76.6
Median income: $44,650
Wayne County
Utah
76.6
Median income: $70,074
Lexington city
Virginia
76.6
Median income: $89,598
Gilmer County
West Virginia
76.6
Median income: $50,991

Deep Dives

Kittson County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Kittson County

via TaxByCounty

Kittson's low tax rate beats national average

At 0.916%, Kittson's effective tax rate runs below the national median of 0.84% and sits comfortably in the lower half nationally. Typical annual taxes of $1,231 are nearly 54% lower than the national median of $2,690, reflecting both a low rate and modest property values.

Kittson ranks among Minnesota's lowest-tax counties

Kittson's 0.916% effective rate runs slightly below Minnesota's state average of 0.968%, positioning it in the lower third statewide. The median tax of $1,231 is the lowest among all eight counties profiled here.

Kittson's advantage extends to all neighbors

Koochiching County (0.799%) is the only neighbor with a lower rate, while Lake of the Woods (0.707%) is lower still; but Kanabec (1.114%) and Kandiyohi (0.994%) both tax notably higher. Kittson occupies a favorable position in the regional tax landscape.

Your estimated annual Kittson property tax

Homeowners with the county median-valued home of $134,400 pay approximately $1,231 annually. With a mortgage, expect around $1,483; without, closer to $1,003.

Even low assessments can be challenged

Kittson's favorable tax rate doesn't mean all homeowners are assessed correctly. If you believe your home's assessed value exceeds its actual market worth, Minnesota law allows a free appeal to your county assessor—a valuable safeguard regardless of the county's overall tax climate.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Kittson County

via CostByCounty

Kittson offers exceptional rental affordability

Kittson County residents spend just 12.6% of their $69,615 median household income on rent, beating the national comfort threshold and approaching the most affordable U.S. markets. At $728 per month, Kittson's median rent is among Minnesota's lowest, making it a rental bargain even as local wages lag slightly below the national average.

Minnesota's most affordable renters live here

Kittson's 12.6% rent-to-income ratio significantly undercuts Minnesota's 14.5% state average, placing the county among the state's most renter-friendly markets. The $728 median rent is $187 below the state average of $915—a 20% savings that few Minnesota counties can match.

Kittson leads the region on affordability

Kittson renters pay $728 monthly, the lowest among surrounding counties like Lake of the Woods ($867), Kandiyohi ($843), and Kanabec ($1,003). Despite slightly lower median incomes, Kittson's housing costs create the lowest burden in the region, making it uniquely accessible for renters.

Ultra-low rent, modest home values

Renters in Kittson spend just 12.6% of their income on housing, freeing up cash for other needs compared to statewide norms. Homeowners pay $772 monthly for properties valued at just $134,400, the lowest median home value in this dataset and offering genuine affordable ownership pathways.

The affordability champion for renters

If rent affordability is your defining concern, Kittson County is hard to beat—both regionally and statewide. Remote workers or retirees on modest incomes will find exceptional value here, though job availability in the remote far-north location may warrant research before committing.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Kittson County

via IncomeByCounty

Kittson Below U.S. Income Baseline

Kittson County's median household income of $69,615 falls about $5,140 short of the national median of $74,755, a 6.9% gap. This positions the county in the lower-middle range compared to typical American households.

Lower Income Among Minnesota Counties

Kittson ranks notably below Minnesota's state average median income of $75,757, trailing by $6,142. The county places in the lower quartile among Minnesota's 87 counties, indicating economic challenges relative to state peers.

One of the Region's Lower Earners

Kittson County's $69,615 median is the lowest among its neighbors, falling behind Kanabec ($71,915), Kandiyohi ($75,097), and Lake of the Woods ($70,091). The per capita income of $37,697 suggests more unequal earnings distribution locally.

Most Affordable Housing in Region

Kittson excels in housing affordability with a 12.6% rent-to-income ratio—among the lowest in the region. The median home value of just $134,400 is highly accessible, offering excellent value for homebuyers.

Leverage Low Housing Costs Wisely

While incomes are modest, Kittson's low housing costs create opportunity to save and invest despite median earnings of $69,615. Prioritize building emergency savings first, then explore employer 401(k) matches and tax-advantaged accounts to build long-term security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Kittson County

via HealthByCounty

Kittson life expectancy significantly below U.S. average

Kittson residents live an average of 75.8 years, about 3.5 years below the U.S. average of 79.3 years. The poor or fair health rate of 15.1% tracks close to national figures, but the notably shorter lifespan reflects serious underlying health disparities.

Lowest life expectancy in the state

At 75.8 years, Kittson's life expectancy ranks near the bottom statewide—nearly 3 years below Minnesota's state average of 78.7 years. The county faces significant health challenges that require targeted interventions and support.

Shortest lifespan in the region

Kittson's 75.8-year life expectancy is substantially lower than nearby counties like Lake of the Woods (78.9 years), Kandiyohi (79.8 years), and even Koochiching (76.9 years). The county's poor/fair health rate of 15.1% is typical for the region, but the lifespan gap signals deeper health crises requiring attention.

Best uninsured rate, limited provider data

Kittson boasts the lowest uninsured rate among these counties at 4.6%, well below Minnesota's 6.0% average—a positive sign for coverage access. However, limited data is available on primary care and mental health provider availability in the county, making it difficult to assess full healthcare infrastructure.

Maintain coverage for better health outcomes

With Kittson facing significant health challenges, continuous access to healthcare is critical. If you're uninsured or underinsured, visit MNsure.org to explore coverage options that support preventive and ongoing care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Kittson County

via RiskByCounty

Kittson is Minnesota's safest county

Kittson County's composite risk score of 4.80 ranks among the lowest in the entire nation, earning a Very Low rating. The county faces dramatically lower natural disaster exposure than typical U.S. communities.

Safest county in all of Minnesota

Kittson's score of 4.80 is just 11% of the state average (42.38), making it by far Minnesota's lowest-risk county. Only earthquake and wildfire risks register above minimal levels.

Far safer than surrounding areas

Kittson's 4.80 score dwarfs Lake of the Woods County (3.53, which is the only Minnesota county with even lower risk). Both represent exceptional safety compared to virtually any surrounding region.

Wildfire is the only notable threat

Wildfire risk scores 74.46 in Kittson—the county's lone significant hazard—while tornado and flood risks remain minimal at 13.55 and 13.55 respectively. Earthquake risk is negligible at 0.54.

Focus on wildfire preparedness

Despite low overall risk, ensure your homeowners policy includes wildfire coverage and maintain defensible space around your property. Standard coverage is likely sufficient for other hazards, but verify with your insurance agent.

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.