Mower County scores 68.1, a solid 36 points above the national median of 50.0. This places Mower squarely in the upper tier of American counties, offering livability well above the typical experience nationwide.
2 / 5
Below Minnesota's already-strong average
Mower County's 68.1 score trails the Minnesota state average of 70.9 by 2.8 points. While Mower remains livable by national standards, it's in the lower half of Minnesota's county ranking.
3 / 5
Affordability and health take the lead
Mower excels in making housing accessible, with a cost score of 78.0 and median home value of just $172,000. Health outcomes are strong at 75.1, and the 72.5 tax score reflects reasonable tax burden at 1.058% effective rate.
4 / 5
Modest incomes need attention
Income represents the clearest weakness, with a score of 30.1 and median household income of $71,495 trailing stronger counties. Risk score of 32.7 also indicates economic or environmental concerns worth investigating.
5 / 5
Budget-friendly for working families
Mower County works well for working-class families and early-career professionals seeking genuine affordability without sacrificing health services. Expect steady, practical living rather than rapid economic growth.
Mower County scores 68.1, a solid 36 points above the national median of 50.0. This places Mower squarely in the upper tier of American counties, offering livability well above the typical experience nationwide.
Below Minnesota's already-strong average
Mower County's 68.1 score trails the Minnesota state average of 70.9 by 2.8 points. While Mower remains livable by national standards, it's in the lower half of Minnesota's county ranking.
Affordability and health take the lead
Mower excels in making housing accessible, with a cost score of 78.0 and median home value of just $172,000. Health outcomes are strong at 75.1, and the 72.5 tax score reflects reasonable tax burden at 1.058% effective rate.
Modest incomes need attention
Income represents the clearest weakness, with a score of 30.1 and median household income of $71,495 trailing stronger counties. Risk score of 32.7 also indicates economic or environmental concerns worth investigating.
Budget-friendly for working families
Mower County works well for working-class families and early-career professionals seeking genuine affordability without sacrificing health services. Expect steady, practical living rather than rapid economic growth.
Score breakdown
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🏛72.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Mower County's effective tax rate of 1.058% sits above the national median, placing it in the upper third of U.S. counties for property tax burden. Despite homes valued well below the national median of $281,900, Mower residents pay $1,819 annually—significantly less in raw dollars but at a heavier rate.
Above-state-average property taxes
Mower County's 1.058% effective rate exceeds Minnesota's average of 0.968%, ranking it among the higher-tax counties statewide. The median tax bill of $1,819 falls below the state median of $2,168, reflecting lower home values rather than favorable rates.
Highest tax rate in the region
Mower County's 1.058% rate is the highest among its neighbors: Morrison County (0.909%), Nobles County (0.934%), and Norman County (0.988%) all tax at significantly lower rates. This makes Mower an outlier in southeast Minnesota for property tax burden.
What Mower homeowners actually pay
A median Mower County home valued at $172,000 generates an annual tax bill of roughly $1,819. Mortgage holders pay $1,724, while outright owners pay $2,005—a $281 gap reflecting Minnesota's mortgage credit program.
Assessment appeals could lower your bill
Mower County homeowners should scrutinize their property assessments, as overvaluation is common statewide. Appealing an inflated assessment is free and could reduce your effective tax rate, especially important given Mower's above-average rate.
Mower County's 14.2% rent-to-income ratio sits just below the national standard, meaning renters here spend a typical share of income on housing despite earning $71,495—roughly $3,000 below the national median. This balance reflects a county where moderate incomes stretch further than in many corners of America.
Slightly above Minnesota's affordability line
Mower County's 14.2% rent-to-income ratio nudges above Minnesota's 14.5% average, placing it comfortably but not spectacularly in the state's affordability rankings. At $848 monthly rent compared to the state average of $915, renters still pocket about $67 in savings each month.
Mid-range costs in a varied landscape
Mower's $848 rent sits between the bargain-basement Norman County ($752) and pricier Nicollet County ($931), reflecting its position as a moderate regional market. The county's $172,000 median home value is the lowest among its peer counties, making it especially attractive for first-time buyers.
Renters pay more than homeowners proportionally
Renters in Mower County dedicate 14.2% of income to housing, while owners spend roughly 16.7% on monthly mortgage payments for homes averaging $172,000. The $172,000 home value—lowest in the region—gives homeowners a real advantage, though both housing types remain affordable by state standards.
Smart choice for budget-conscious buyers
Mower County's $172,000 median home value and $994 monthly ownership costs represent some of Minnesota's best entry points to homeownership. Compare it with neighboring Morrison's $237,000 homes or Olmsted County's $304,500 average to see how much your down payment stretches in this rural market.
Mower County's median household income of $71,495 is just 4.4% below the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it closer to national norms than many rural counties. This performance reflects a diversified local economy anchored by manufacturing and agriculture.
Solid middle-tier standing in Minnesota
At $71,495, Mower County ranks above the national median but still trails Minnesota's state average of $75,757 by about $4,300. The county sits in the middle tier of Minnesota's 87 counties, reflecting a stable but not high-income workforce.
Outpaces some neighbors, trails others
Mower County's $71,495 income exceeds Morrison ($68,640) and Norman ($69,833) counties but falls short of Murray County ($74,475) to the west. The variation suggests Mower's manufacturing base provides stronger earnings than purely agricultural neighbors.
Rental costs rise slightly here
Mower County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.2% indicates households dedicate a modest share of earnings to housing, remaining well below stress thresholds. The median home value of $172,000 is one of the region's most affordable, making homeownership accessible.
Leverage affordable housing for equity
Mower County's affordable median home value of $172,000 creates an opportunity for households to build home equity faster than in pricier markets. Aggressive mortgage paydown or strategic refinancing during favorable rate cycles can accelerate wealth accumulation.
Mower County slightly exceeds national life expectancy
Mower County residents average 78.8 years of life, just below the U.S. average of 80.2 years but trending favorably compared to many rural counterparts. However, 17.1% of residents report poor or fair health, notably higher than the national average of around 13%, signaling underlying health challenges.
Mower outpaces Minnesota on life expectancy
At 78.8 years, Mower County edges above Minnesota's state average of 78.7 years, ranking it in the upper half of Minnesota counties. Yet the county's 7.2% uninsured rate exceeds the state average of 6.0%, leaving more residents without health coverage.
Stronger life expectancy than southern neighbors
Mower County's 78.8-year life expectancy outpaces Nobles County (79.8 years) and Norman County (77.5 years), positioning it as a regional leader in longevity. The 7.2% uninsured rate, however, reflects broader access challenges in southern Minnesota.
Limited primary care, solid mental health access
Mower County has just 42 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, among the lowest in the state and potentially creating wait times for general medical care. Mental health support is stronger, with 167 providers per 100K, offering residents reasonable access to behavioral health services.
Mower County: close the coverage gap
With 7.2% of Mower County residents uninsured, more people need to access affordable coverage today. Visit MNsure.org to explore plans that fit your budget and connect with healthcare providers in your community.
Mower County's composite risk score of 67.27 places it in the "Relatively Low" rating category but well above the national average. The county's tornado risk of 81.17 is its defining hazard, making severe spring and summer storms a primary concern.
Above-average risk for Minnesota
At 67.27, Mower County's composite risk significantly exceeds Minnesota's statewide average of 42.38. The county ranks among the higher-risk tier statewide, driven primarily by tornado exposure.
Higher tornado exposure than neighbors
Mower County faces notably elevated tornado risk (81.17) compared to neighboring Dodge and Freeborn counties. Its flood risk of 74.97 also exceeds the regional average, though wildfire risk remains minimal at 18.83.
Tornadoes are the paramount threat
Tornado risk dominates Mower County at 81.17, substantially higher than the state average and among the top hazards statewide. Flooding presents secondary risk at 74.97, while earthquake and wildfire risks remain low.
Storm shelter and flood insurance essential
Mower County residents should prioritize a designated safe room or storm shelter for tornado season and maintain comprehensive flood insurance. Review your homeowners policy to ensure coverage includes wind damage from severe thunderstorms and hail.