Lac qui Parle County

Minnesota · MN

#15 in Minnesota
75.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Lac qui Parle County, Minnesota

Lac qui Parle ranks in the national top quartile

Lac qui Parle's composite score of 75.5 exceeds the national median of 50 by a substantial 25.5 points, placing it in the top 25% of U.S. counties for livability. The county demonstrates strong, balanced performance across affordability, health, and risk dimensions.

A strong performer within Minnesota's county tier

Lac qui Parle's 75.5 score ranks above Minnesota's state average of 70.9, positioning it in the upper portion of the state's 87 counties. The county stands out as a genuinely livable destination within a competitive state.

Excellent health outcomes and robust affordability

Lac qui Parle leads these eight counties with a health score of 79.5 and pairs that with strong cost (82.4) and risk (81.2) scores. Median home values of $143,400 and rents of $809/month make it one of the most affordable counties in the group.

Income levels remain below optimal

With a median household income of $71,639 and an income score of 30.1, Lac qui Parle reflects the rural Minnesota wage challenge. Higher incomes would elevate the county's overall livability profile.

Best for health-conscious families seeking affordability

Lac qui Parle County suits families and professionals prioritizing excellent health care infrastructure, housing affordability, and economic stability over maximum earning potential. The county's strong health outcomes and risk profile make it particularly attractive for families planning long-term settlement.

Score breakdown

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

Tax75.6Cost82.4SafetyComing SoonHealth79.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome30.1Risk81.2WaterComing Soon
🏛75.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠82.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼30.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
79.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
81.2
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Lac qui Parle County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lac qui Parle County

via TaxByCounty

Lac qui Parle's tax rate remains quite competitive

At 0.948%, Lac qui Parle's effective tax rate sits slightly above the national median of 0.84%, positioning it in the moderate range nationally. Annual taxes of $1,360 run roughly half the national median of $2,690, thanks to lower property valuations in the county.

Lac qui Parle slightly below Minnesota average

Lac qui Parle's 0.948% effective rate runs just under Minnesota's state average of 0.968%, placing it squarely in the middle-to-lower tier statewide. The median tax of $1,360 is below the state median of $2,168.

Lac qui Parle ranks favorably in its region

Kandiyohi County to the east taxes at 0.994%, while Kanabec further northeast is 1.114%—both higher than Lac qui Parle's 0.948%. Within its regional context, Lac qui Parle offers a competitive tax environment.

Your estimated annual Lac qui Parle property tax

Homeowners with a property valued at the county median of $143,400 face an estimated annual tax of $1,360. Those with mortgages typically pay around $1,444; outright owners, approximately $1,285.

Assessment appeals are your right—use them

Minnesota law guarantees homeowners the right to appeal their property assessment if they believe it's unfair. Lac qui Parle residents who notice their home valued significantly above recent comparable sales should contact the county assessor about a no-cost appeal process.

Cost of Living in Lac qui Parle County

via CostByCounty

Lac qui Parle delivers solid rental value

Lac qui Parle County residents spend 13.6% of their $71,639 median household income on rent, a rate that hovers near national comfort thresholds and below problematic levels. At $809 per month, median rent is lean and accessible, making the county competitive for price-conscious renters nationally.

Slightly above state rent-to-income average

Lac qui Parle's 13.6% rent-to-income ratio edges just above Minnesota's 14.5% state average, placing it in the better half of the state's housing markets. Median rent of $809 runs $106 below the state average of $915, contributing to solid regional affordability despite slightly tighter income ratios.

Mid-range costs among rural peers

Lac qui Parle renters pay $809 monthly, positioning the county between Kittson's bargain $728 and Kanabec's steep $1,003, with a favorable rent burden of 13.6%. The county's rental market mirrors Kandiyohi and Koochiching, offering consistent rural Minnesota affordability.

Even split between rent and ownership costs

Renters in Lac qui Parle spend 13.6% of their $71,639 annual income on housing, while homeowners pay $754 monthly for properties valued at $143,400. Both pathways are accessible relative to state norms, with ownership costs particularly low and reflecting the county's modest property values.

Stable affordability, modest growth prospects

Lac qui Parle combines reasonable rents and low home values in a stable rural setting, making it ideal for those prioritizing housing affordability. The county's smaller size and agricultural economy suggest it suits retirees, remote workers, or those seeking simplicity over urban amenities and rapid job growth.

Income & Jobs in Lac qui Parle County

via IncomeByCounty

Lac qui Parle Slightly Below National Average

Lac qui Parle County's median household income of $71,639 falls about $3,116 short of the national median of $74,755, a 4.2% gap. The county earns slightly less than typical American households, though remains in the middle range nationally.

Middle Position in Minnesota

At $71,639, Lac qui Parle ranks below Minnesota's state average of $75,757 by $4,118, placing it in the middle tier among the state's 87 counties. The per capita income of $40,282 indicates a relatively balanced income distribution locally.

Comparable to Regional Average

Lac qui Parle's $71,639 median falls between lower-earning neighbors like Kittson ($69,615) and higher earners like Kandiyohi ($75,097). The county's position reflects typical economic conditions for west-central Minnesota rural areas.

Excellent Rental Affordability

With a rent-to-income ratio of 13.6%, Lac qui Parle renters spend well under the 30% affordability benchmark. The median home value of $143,400 is highly accessible, making homeownership achievable for typical county households.

Capitalize on Agricultural Opportunities

Lac qui Parle's farming heritage offers unique wealth-building paths through land ownership, commodity investing, and agricultural cooperatives alongside traditional savings. Households earning the $71,639 median should explore both rural-specific investment strategies and conventional retirement planning tools.

Health in Lac qui Parle County

via HealthByCounty

Lac qui Parle exceeds national life expectancy

Lac qui Parle residents live an average of 79.3 years, meeting the U.S. average exactly. The poor or fair health rate of 14.6% is among the lowest regionally, indicating a relatively healthy population.

Above-average health outcomes in Minnesota

At 79.3 years, Lac qui Parle's life expectancy exceeds Minnesota's state average of 78.7 years by 0.6 years. The county ranks in the top half statewide for health outcomes, reflecting good overall wellness.

Competitive health metrics regionally

Lac qui Parle's 79.3-year life expectancy aligns closely with Lake County (79.6 years) and Kandiyohi County (79.8 years), placing it among the region's healthiest. The 14.6% poor/fair health rate is the second-lowest in the area, suggesting relatively strong population health.

Good insurance coverage, moderate provider access

Lac qui Parle's uninsured rate of 5.4% is below Minnesota's 6.0% average, meaning most residents have coverage. The county provides 75 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, though mental health provider access is limited at just 30 per 100,000—the lowest in the region.

Keep your health coverage secure

Lac qui Parle's strong health outcomes depend on consistent access to care. If you lack insurance, visit MNsure.org to find coverage options that support your ongoing health needs.

Disaster Risk in Lac qui Parle County

via RiskByCounty

Lac qui Parle is exceptionally safe

At 18.80, Lac qui Parle County's composite risk score earns a Very Low rating and sits far below typical national disaster exposure. The county enjoys notably low natural hazard risk across the board.

Among Minnesota's safest counties

Lac qui Parle's 18.80 score ranks it in the bottom 10% of Minnesota counties by risk, less than half the state average of 42.38. Only Kanabec and Kittson counties present comparable safety.

Comparable to area peers

Lac qui Parle (18.80) rivals nearby Kanabec County (21.31) and Le Sueur County (22.81) as one of the region's lowest-risk areas. All three offer excellent natural hazard safety compared to state norms.

Risk is broadly distributed

Tornado risk (29.96), wildfire risk (29.68), and flood risk (25.57) are nearly equal in Lac qui Parle, each representing modest concerns. No single hazard dominates the county's profile.

Standard coverage likely sufficient

With exceptionally low overall risk, standard homeowners insurance should provide adequate protection for most residents. Verify that your policy includes sump pump coverage and consider flood insurance if you're in a mapped zone.

ByCounty Network

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