CountyScore

Mahnomen County

Minnesota · MN

#48 in Minnesota
70.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Mahnomen County, Minnesota

Mahnomen scores well above national median

Mahnomen County's composite score of 70.9 nearly hits the national median of 50.0 from above, performing in the upper-middle range of U.S. counties. This reflects particular strength in affordability and risk resilience.

Right at Minnesota's state average

Mahnomen County matches Minnesota's state average composite score of 70.9 exactly. It represents a typical Minnesota livability profile, neither standout nor underperforming relative to the state.

Outstanding affordability and resilience

Mahnomen County shines with the highest cost score (84.7) among these eight counties and an exceptional risk score of 92.9, indicating strong economic and environmental stability. Housing is highly affordable with median home values at $146,500 and rents at $685/month.

Health and income lag significantly

The income score of 18.6 is the lowest in this group, with a median household income of just $53,925 indicating limited economic opportunity. Health outcomes (58.6) also trail peers, suggesting potential gaps in healthcare infrastructure or community wellness.

Suits remote workers and frugal relocators

Mahnomen County is ideal for those with income from outside sources—remote workers, retirees with pensions, or business owners—who prioritize rock-bottom costs and environmental stability. Health outcomes require attention from prospective residents with healthcare needs.

Score breakdown

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

Tax74.9Cost84.7SafetyComing SoonHealth58.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome18.6Risk92.9WaterComing Soon
🏛74.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼18.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤58.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡92.9
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 Mahnomen County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Elmore County
Alabama
70.9
Median income: $75,553
Randolph County
Arkansas
70.9
Median income: $52,838
Wilcox County
Georgia
70.9
Median income: $48,036
Putnam County
Illinois
70.9
Median income: $77,526
Greene County
Iowa
70.9
Median income: $59,159

Deep Dives

Mahnomen County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

Cost of Living in Mahnomen County

via CostByCounty

Mahnomen stretched compared to nation

Mahnomen County renters spend 15.2% of income on housing, exceeding both the national average of 14.5% and the state average of 14.5%. The median household income of $53,925 is substantially below the national median of $74,755, making affordability genuinely tight.

Among Minnesota's least affordable

Mahnomen County ranks below average for housing affordability in Minnesota, with its 15.2% rent-to-income ratio placing it in the lower half of state counties. The combination of lower incomes and moderate rents creates a harder squeeze than neighboring rural counties.

Mahnomen faces regional affordability pressure

While Mahnomen's rent of $685 is competitive with Lincoln County ($688) and Lyon County ($742), the county's much lower median income of $53,925 means housing takes a bigger bite of household budgets. Compared to Marshall County ($71,701 income) and Lyon County ($72,761), Mahnomen residents face tighter housing cost burdens.

Income gap drives affordability struggles

Renters pay $685 monthly and homeowners pay $757, but on a median household income of just $53,925, these costs consume 15.2% and 16.9% of income respectively. Both figures exceed healthy affordability thresholds, limiting financial flexibility for residents.

Mahnomen requires careful financial planning

Prospective residents should thoroughly compare Mahnomen's income opportunities against its housing costs, as tight affordability margins leave less room for error. Consider whether job prospects and wage levels will support your household budget in this community.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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

Health in Mahnomen County

via HealthByCounty

Mahnomen County faces a life expectancy crisis

At 68.5 years, Mahnomen County's life expectancy runs 8.9 years behind the U.S. average of 77.4 years—a gap as wide as entire decades of health disparity. A quarter of residents (25.3%) report poor or fair health, compared to 17.1% nationally, indicating persistent underlying health challenges.

Significant gap from Minnesota's health profile

Mahnomen County's 68.5-year life expectancy lags Minnesota's 78.7-year average by a stark 10.2 years—the largest gap among these eight counties. The 25.3% poor/fair health rate far exceeds Minnesota's state average of 16.2%, revealing a county in need of targeted health interventions.

Dramatically lower provider access than peers

Mahnomen County has only 19 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—roughly one-quarter the rate in neighboring Lyon County (83 per 100K). Mental health provider data is unavailable, but the scarcity of primary care suggests significant barriers to accessing any form of organized healthcare.

High uninsured rates compound care barriers

At 8.0%, Mahnomen County's uninsured rate is the highest among these eight counties and 33% above Minnesota's 6.0% average. Combined with just 19 primary care providers per 100,000, residents face a double barrier: many lack insurance to pay for care, and few providers exist to deliver it.

Enroll now to access available care

Mahnomen County residents urgently need to check their insurance status and enroll if uninsured. Visit MNsure.org or call 1-855-366-7873 to explore options—having insurance removes a critical barrier when accessing the limited primary care available locally.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Mahnomen County

via RiskByCounty

Mahnomen County ranks among safest nationally

At 7.12, Mahnomen County's composite risk score is exceptionally low—roughly one-sixth the national average. This very low rating reflects minimal exposure to most major natural hazards.

Minnesota's lowest composite risk

Mahnomen County's score of 7.12 is dramatically lower than the state average of 42.38, making it one of the safest counties in Minnesota. Virtually all hazard categories here fall well below state norms.

Safest in the northwestern region

Mahnomen County's risk profile is substantially lower than Marshall County (23.57) to the north and Lyon County (43.48) to the west. It offers notably greater natural disaster safety than surrounding areas.

Wildfire risk overshadows other threats

Wildfire risk (58.30) is notably elevated compared to other hazards in Mahnomen County, though still well below the state average. Tornado risk (22.93) and flood risk (11.55) are minimal by comparison.

Basic coverage meets needs here

Standard homeowners insurance with wind and hail protection is typically sufficient for Mahnomen County residents. Those in wooded areas should ensure wildfire coverage is included in their policy.

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.