countyscore
47.5
County Score
Disaster Risk 92.9Water Quality 86Soil Quality 84.2

County Report Card

About Mahnomen County, Minnesota

Approaching the National Median

Mahnomen County earns a composite score of 47.0, placing it just slightly below the national median of 50.0. While it trails the national midpoint, it remains competitive in specific environmental categories. The score reflects a unique mix of high natural security and economic hurdles.

A More Challenging State Profile

The county's composite score of 47.0 sits below the Minnesota state average of 55.8. This indicates that Mahnomen faces more systemic challenges than many of its state neighbors. However, its low cost of living remains a distinguishing factor within the region.

Safe from Natural Disasters

Mahnomen County shines in natural security with a risk score of 92.9 and a water score of 86.0. It also offers significant affordability, evidenced by a cost score of 74.6. Median rents are among the lowest in the state at $685 per month.

Economic and Health Headwinds

The county struggles with an income score of 22.8 and a health score of 25.7. A median household income of $53,925 is significantly lower than state peers, affecting overall wellness metrics. Improving safety, currently scored at 34.4, is also a key area for future development.

Best for Budget-Conscious Nature Lovers

This county is best suited for individuals who prioritize low housing costs and environmental resilience above all else. With a median home value of only $146,500, it provides a very accessible entry point for homeownership. It appeals to those who value a quiet, low-risk natural setting.

2040608010040.974.434.425.743.332.192.98646.6Tax40.9Cost74.4Safety34.4Health25.7Schools43.3Income32.1Risk92.9Water86Weather46.647.5/100
This county
National avg
3 above average5 below average

Mahnomen County DNA

Foverall

How Mahnomen County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Mahnomen County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (92.9/100) but notably weak in Health (25.7/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
40.9-11.100000000000001
Cost
74.4+26.400000000000006
Safety
34.4-20.6
Health
25.7-24.3
Schools
43.3-10.700000000000003
Income
32.1-18.9
Risk
92.9+45.900000000000006
Water
86+28
Weather
46.6-9.399999999999999
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$161,900

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$696/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$161,900/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$27,840/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.7x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $59,441/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

111.7

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

Clearwater County
Minnesota
65.8
Becker County
Minnesota
52.9
Red Lake County
Minnesota
73.3
Norman County
Minnesota
68.8
Hubbard County
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Polk County
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50.9
Pennington County
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Clay County
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41.6

Deep Dives

Mahnomen County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Mahnomen County

via TaxByCounty

Mahnomen taxes rank in nation's lower third

Mahnomen County's effective tax rate of 0.974% sits comfortably below the national average of 1.1%, placing it among the 30% of U.S. counties with the lowest tax burdens. The median property tax of $1,427 is just 53% of the national median of $2,690.

Essentially at Minnesota's statewide average

Mahnomen County's 0.974% effective rate virtually mirrors Minnesota's 0.968% state average, placing it near the median among all 87 Minnesota counties. However, its $1,427 median tax falls 34% below the state median of $2,168, reflecting lower property valuations.

Mid-range taxes within the eight-county group

Mahnomen County's tax rate sits between Marshall County's lower 0.829% and Lyon County's higher 1.047%, positioning it as a moderate-tax county in the region. Its $1,427 bill is among the lowest in the eight-county peer set.

Median home $146.5k, tax bill $1,427

Mahnomen County homeowners with median-valued properties at $146,500 pay approximately $1,427 in annual property taxes, or roughly $119 per month. The wide gap between mortgaged ($1,410) and non-mortgaged ($1,452) taxes reflects escrow calculation variations.

Know your assessment—it may be inflated

Property assessments in rural Minnesota counties like Mahnomen sometimes lag behind true market conditions. Homeowners should review their assessment notices and consider filing an appeal if their property's tax value exceeds recent comparable sales in the area.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Mahnomen County

via IncomeByCounty

Mahnomen County income significantly lags nationally

At $53,925, Mahnomen County's median household income falls $20,830 short of the U.S. median of $74,755, representing a 28% gap. This is among the largest disparities in the state and signals economic challenges.

Lowest income in Minnesota comparison

Mahnomen County's $53,925 median ranks substantially below Minnesota's county average of $75,757, placing it in the bottom tier statewide. The $21,832 shortfall reflects limited economic opportunity relative to other Minnesota regions.

Lowest earner in the region

At $53,925, Mahnomen County significantly underearns all nearby counties: it lags Marshall ($71,701), Lyon ($72,761), Lincoln ($67,715), and Martin ($62,969) by $8,000 to $18,800 annually. This income gap highlights localized economic stress.

Housing costs strain household budgets

Mahnomen County's 15.2% rent-to-income ratio exceeds the 15% affordability threshold, signaling that housing consumes a larger share of income here than is sustainable. The median home value of $146,500 may still stretch household budgets.

Prioritize financial stability first

With housing costs elevated and income below state averages, Mahnomen County households should focus on building emergency savings before aggressive investing. Low-cost community resources, financial counseling, and employer retirement plans offer accessible starting points.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Mahnomen County

via CrimeByCounty

Mahnomen County Public Safety Landscape

Mahnomen County holds a safety score of 97.6, which remains higher than many urban centers despite local challenges. Its total crime rate of 1521.7 per 100,000 is still significantly lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Mahnomen vs State Safety Averages

The county's safety score of 97.6 is slightly below the Minnesota state average of 98.2. Its total crime rate of 1521.7 exceeds the state average of 1123.5, indicating more frequent incidents relative to its size.

Safety Comparisons with Neighboring Counties

Mahnomen's crime rate is higher than neighboring Marshall County, which sits at just 343.8 per 100,000. Because a single agency provides this data, residents should interpret these figures as a snapshot of specific local reporting.

Understanding Violent and Property Crime

Violent crime in Mahnomen reaches 482.5 per 100,000, while property crime is more common at 1039.2. These figures suggest that while property crime is the primary concern, violent crime rates exceed both state and national averages.

Taking Proactive Security Steps

With property crime as a primary factor, residents should consider investing in smart doorbells or home camera systems. Community awareness and reporting suspicious activity help local law enforcement manage these trends effectively.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Mahnomen County

via WeatherByCounty

A True Northern Continental Climate

Mahnomen County sits at an average annual temperature of 39.9°F, significantly cooler than the national median of approximately 54°F. This reflects a humid continental climate characterized by profound seasonal shifts.

Cooler Than the Minnesota Average

The county's 39.9°F annual average trails the statewide mean of 42.8°F. It ranks among the chillier northern counties, receiving about 26.4 inches of precipitation annually compared to the state average of 30.0 inches.

Comparing North Country Climates

Mahnomen is slightly warmer than neighboring Marshall County to the north, which averages 39.3°F. However, it remains much colder than southern counties like Martin, which stays over six degrees warmer on average.

Deep Freezes and Mild Summers

January temperatures plummet to a 6.3°F average, while July remains comfortable at 68.1°F. Residents only face five days of extreme heat above 90°F each year.

Winter Resilience is Key

Homeowners should prioritize high-efficiency heating systems capable of handling extreme sub-zero January lows. While snowfall data is limited, the 10.4°F winter average demands heavy-duty insulation and thermal gear.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Mahnomen County

via SoilByCounty

Ideally Balanced Native Soils

Mahnomen County boasts a near-perfect pH of 6.24, almost exactly matching the Minnesota state average of 6.21. This level is just slightly more acidic than the national median of 6.5, providing an ideal environment for most plants. It represents a highly versatile chemical baseline for diverse land use.

Sandy Loam Characteristics

The soil is relatively light, composed of 43.0% sand, 33.6% silt, and only 15.4% clay. This high sand content ensures excellent aeration and makes the ground very easy to till. However, the lower clay percentage means the soil relies heavily on its organic matter to hold onto nutrients.

High-Performing Organic Richness

Mahnomen surpasses state benchmarks with 11.38% organic matter, well above the state average of 9.90% and nearly six times the national average. This richness drives an available water capacity of 0.202 in/in, exceeding the state average of 0.199. These numbers explain the county's impressive soil score of 84.2.

Efficient Water Management

Though specific drainage classes aren't in the dataset, the 43.0% sand content typically indicates rapid water movement. This minimizes the risk of root rot and allows for earlier spring planting as the soil warms up quickly. The high water capacity ensures that even with fast drainage, moisture remains available to crops.

Lush Growth in Zone 4a

With a 4a hardiness rating, Mahnomen is perfect for sunflowers, small grains, and forest products. The high organic matter and ideal pH make it a dream for organic vegetable gardening. It is a highly productive environment for those willing to work with the cooler northern climate.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Mahnomen County

via LawnByCounty

Cold-Hardy Lawns in Mahnomen County

With a score of 54.2, lawn maintenance here is tougher than the state average but still beats the national median. Zone 4a conditions require cold-hardy turf to survive the harsh northern winters. It is a challenging but rewarding climate for dedicated gardeners.

Short Seasons and Light Rainfall

Low annual precipitation of 26.4 inches and only 2,046 growing degree days suggest a shorter, slower growing season. With just 5 days of extreme heat, cool-season grasses are less likely to scorch but will need supplemental water to thrive. Mowing schedules should adjust to the slower pace of growth.

Sandy Soil and Ideal pH Levels

A soil pH of 6.24 is nearly perfect for lawn health, falling right within the 6.0-7.0 ideal range. The soil is relatively sandy at 43.0%, which helps with drainage but means you must water more frequently to keep grass hydrated. Nutrient retention is lower in this sandy texture.

Protecting Lawns Against Extended Drought

A high 30-week drought history over the last year makes this county particularly vulnerable to water stress. Focus on morning irrigation while 100% of the county remains in abnormally dry conditions. Drought-tolerant seed mixes are highly recommended to survive these extended dry periods.

Seeding for Success in the North

Stick with cold-hardy Fine Fescue or Kentucky Bluegrass to survive the zone 4a winters. The growing window is tight between May 7 and September 28, so late August seeding is your best path to success. Preparing your soil now will pay off when the first green shoots appear.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mahnomen County's county score?
Mahnomen County, Minnesota has a composite county score of 47.5 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Mahnomen County rank among counties in Minnesota?
Mahnomen County ranks #65 among all counties in Minnesota on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Mahnomen County, Minnesota?
The median annual property tax in Mahnomen County is $1,509, with an effective tax rate of 0.93%. This earns Mahnomen County a tax score of 40.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Mahnomen County?
The median household income in Mahnomen County, Minnesota is $59,441 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Mahnomen County earns an income score of 32.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is Mahnomen County, Minnesota a good place to live?
Mahnomen County scores 47.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #65 in Minnesota. The best way to evaluate Mahnomen County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Mahnomen County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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