CountyScore

Lyon County

Minnesota · MN

#32 in Minnesota
72.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Lyon County, Minnesota

Lyon County ranks above national benchmark

Lyon County's composite score of 72.3 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it solidly in the upper half of U.S. counties. This reflects competitive performance across cost of living and health metrics.

Slightly above Minnesota average

With a score of 72.3, Lyon County edges past Minnesota's state average of 70.9, marking it as a competitive option among the state's counties. It ranks comfortably in the middle-to-upper tier of Minnesota's livability landscape.

Good health and reasonable housing costs

Lyon County shows strong health outcomes with a score of 79.5 and maintains affordable housing with a cost score of 80.9. The median home value of $193,100 and gross rent of $742/month offer reasonable access to housing.

Risk and income present concerns

The risk score of 56.5 is notably lower than peers, suggesting higher vulnerability to economic or environmental disruptions. Income levels are also modest, with a median household income of $72,761 indicating limited wage growth opportunities.

Right for health-conscious, risk-aware households

Lyon County appeals to families valuing stable health infrastructure and moderate affordability but may require attention to risk factors before relocating. It suits established workers and families seeking rural Minnesota with accessible services.

Score breakdown

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

Tax72.8Cost80.9SafetyComing SoonHealth79.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome30.9Risk56.5WaterComing Soon
🏛72.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼30.9
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
⚡56.5
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 Lyon County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Butler County
Alabama
72.3
Median income: $44,881
Choctaw County
Alabama
72.3
Median income: $44,483
Hale County
Alabama
72.3
Median income: $41,325
Pike County
Alabama
72.3
Median income: $47,961
Gilchrist County
Florida
72.3
Median income: $61,070

Deep Dives

Lyon County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lyon County

via TaxByCounty

Lyon County taxes near national median

Lyon County's effective tax rate of 1.047% matches the national average, placing it squarely in the middle of U.S. counties by tax burden. At $2,021 annually, the median property tax is 25% below the national median of $2,690, reflecting lower home values in the region.

Above Minnesota average, middle-of-pack ranked

Lyon County's 1.047% rate exceeds Minnesota's 0.968% state average, ranking it in the higher-tax quartile among the state's 87 counties. Its $2,021 median tax approaches Minnesota's $2,168 state median, indicating closer alignment with statewide patterns.

Highest taxes in the eight-county region

Lyon County carries the heaviest tax load in this region, with only McLeod County (1.160%) and Mille Lacs County (1.042%) approaching its rate. Compared to Marshall County's 0.829%, Lyon homeowners pay roughly 26% more in effective property taxes.

Median home $193k, annual tax $2,021

A typical Lyon County homeowner with a $193,100 property pays $2,021 in annual property taxes—about $169 monthly. With mortgage escrow, that obligation rises to $2,160; without a mortgage, the annual bill falls to $1,850.

Appeals are free and often successful

Properties in Lyon County are sometimes overvalued on county rolls, especially after market shifts. Homeowners can request a reassessment or file an appeal at no cost; many county assessors' offices report that 15–25% of challenged assessments are reduced.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Lyon County

via CostByCounty

Lyon County outpaces national affordability

At 12.2% of income spent on rent, Lyon County residents enjoy better housing affordability than the national average of 14.5%. The median household income of $72,761 sits close to the national median of $74,755, making this a solidly accessible market.

Top-tier affordability in Minnesota

Lyon County's 12.2% rent-to-income ratio places it among Minnesota's most affordable counties, beating the state average of 14.5%. At $742 per month, median rent is $173 below the state median, offering genuine savings for renters.

Lyon County leads the southwest region

Lyon County's $742 monthly rent undercuts Lincoln County ($688—a rural outlier) but beats Marshall County ($737) and Martin County ($735) by modest margins. For homebuyers, the median home price of $193,100 is reasonable for the region, balancing affordability with proximity to services.

Balanced costs for renters and owners

Renters allocate $742 monthly while homeowners pay $934, consuming 12.2% and 15.4% of the $72,761 median household income respectively. Both figures sit near or below state averages, leaving healthy income for savings and discretionary spending.

Lyon County beckons rural-minded relocators

With strong affordability metrics and a balanced cost structure, Lyon County offers stability for renters and first-time homebuyers alike. Stack this profile against comparable Minnesota counties to confirm it matches your budget and lifestyle.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lyon County

via IncomeByCounty

Lyon County nearly matches national income

At $72,761, Lyon County's median household income sits just $2,000 below the U.S. median of $74,755, putting it within 3% of the national benchmark. This strong position reflects a resilient local economy.

Middle ground in Minnesota rankings

Lyon County's $72,761 median income ranks it slightly below Minnesota's county average of $75,757, placing it in the solid middle tier statewide. The $3,000 gap suggests Lyon households earn competitively within the state.

Leads regional income comparisons

Lyon County outearns surrounding counties: it tops Mahnomen ($53,925), Martin ($62,969), and Lincoln ($67,715), and edges past Marshall ($71,701). As the strongest earner in this southwest Minnesota cluster, Lyon County demonstrates relative economic strength.

Solid housing affordability

Lyon County's 12.2% rent-to-income ratio keeps housing costs well within the 15% affordability threshold, despite the median home value of $193,100. Local incomes comfortably support homeownership here.

Strong foundation for wealth building

With near-national incomes and affordable housing, Lyon County households have breathing room to save and invest beyond basic shelter costs. Establishing tax-advantaged retirement accounts and diversified portfolios can accelerate long-term wealth accumulation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Lyon County

via HealthByCounty

Lyon County exceeds U.S. life expectancy benchmarks

Lyon County residents live an average of 79.1 years, nearly 2 years longer than the national average of 77.4 years. Only 14.3% report poor or fair health—well below the national rate of 17.1%—indicating strong population-level wellness.

Among Minnesota's healthiest counties

Lyon County's life expectancy of 79.1 years edges out Minnesota's 78.7-year average, while its 14.3% poor/fair health rate ranks significantly better than the state's 16.2%. The county consistently performs above Minnesota benchmarks across major health indicators.

Leader in both care access and health outcomes

Lyon County boasts exceptional mental health provider density at 244 per 100,000 residents—among the highest in the state and far ahead of regional peers. With 83 primary care providers per 100,000, the county offers robust access to both frontline and specialized mental health care.

Best-in-class coverage and provider access

Lyon County's 5.5% uninsured rate is the lowest among these eight counties and well below Minnesota's 6.0% average. Combined with abundant primary and mental health providers, residents enjoy both comprehensive insurance coverage and easy access to care.

Maintain Lyon County's coverage momentum

Lyon County leads the region in uninsured rates, but staying vigilant pays dividends. Review your plan annually at MNsure.org to keep your coverage aligned with your health needs and take advantage of the robust provider network available locally.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Lyon County

via RiskByCounty

Lyon County faces moderate national risk

With a composite risk score of 43.48, Lyon County ranks slightly above the national average, placing it in the relatively low risk category. Flood risk is the most significant contributor to this ranking.

Slightly above Minnesota's average

Lyon County's score of 43.48 exceeds the state average of 42.38 by just over 1 point, positioning it in the middle range among Minnesota counties. This modest elevation is driven primarily by flood exposure.

Higher flood risk than neighbors

Lyon County's flood risk (57.22) significantly exceeds that of Lincoln County (28.88) and Mahnomen County (11.55) to the north and east. Tornado risk (41.28) also runs higher here than in most adjacent counties.

Flooding poses primary challenge

Flood risk (57.22) towers over other hazards and represents Lyon County's most pressing natural disaster concern. Tornado risk (41.28) and earthquake risk (15.68) are secondary but noteworthy threats.

Prioritize flood insurance now

Lyon County residents in flood-prone areas should obtain separate flood insurance, as standard homeowners policies exclude this peril. Those in mapped floodplains or near water should make this a top priority.

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.