CountyScore

Norman County

Minnesota · MN

#19 in Minnesota
74.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Norman County, Minnesota

Norman County solidly outperforms nation

Norman County's score of 74.7 surpasses the national median by 24.7 points, placing it well within the national top tier. This reflects consistently strong performance on measured livability dimensions.

Above Minnesota average, strong performer

Norman County ranks 74.7, a notable 3.8 points above the Minnesota state average of 70.9. Among these eight counties, Norman is among the strongest performers.

Exceptional affordability and resilience

Norman excels with the highest cost score in this group (82.4), median home value of just $135,700, and lowest median rent at $752. Most impressively, its risk score of 85.7 signals strong economic resilience—the highest in this peer set.

Income growth opportunities limited

Income score stands at 29.0 with median household income of $69,833, reflecting modest earning potential. This is the trade-off for Norman's exceptional affordability: wages don't stretch as far, but neither does cost of living.

Perfect for stability-seekers on tight budgets

Norman County is ideal for retirees, first-time homebuyers, and anyone prioritizing rock-bottom costs and economic security. This county offers maximum stretch for modest income while maintaining strong community resilience.

Score breakdown

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

Tax74.5Cost82.4SafetyComing SoonHealth76.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome29Risk85.7WaterComing Soon
🏛74.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼29
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤76.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡85.7
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 Norman County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Koochiching County
Minnesota
74.7
Median income: $69,115
Sioux County
Nebraska
74.7
Median income: $54,076
Ransom County
North Dakota
74.7
Median income: $74,521
Lunenburg County
Virginia
74.7
Median income: $54,460
Mineral County
West Virginia
74.7
Median income: $68,049

Deep Dives

Norman County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Norman County

via TaxByCounty

Norman County taxes rate below national median

Norman County's effective tax rate of 0.988% sits just slightly above the national median, placing it in the moderate-to-favorable range nationally. Despite home values well below the national average, the median tax bill of $1,341 is a bargain compared to the national median of $2,690.

Slightly above Minnesota's average

Norman County's 0.988% rate marginally exceeds Minnesota's 0.968% average, ranking it near the middle of the state's tax spectrum. The median tax of $1,341 is far below the state median of $2,168, reflecting the county's lower home values.

Mid-range taxes for northwest Minnesota

Norman County's 0.988% rate falls between Murray County's low (0.765%) and Mower County's high (1.058%), positioning it as a moderate-tax county. Compared to regional peer Nobles County (0.934%), Norman carries a slightly heavier rate.

What Norman homeowners actually pay

A median Norman County home valued at $135,700 generates an annual tax bill of roughly $1,341—the second-lowest in the comparison group. Homeowners with mortgages pay $1,481, while outright owners pay $1,199, reflecting a $282 mortgage credit gap.

Verify your assessment for savings

Even in a relatively low-tax county, overassessment is possible and worth checking. A free assessment appeal could save Norman County homeowners money annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Norman County

via CostByCounty

Norman's rents are genuinely affordable

Norman County's 12.9% rent-to-income ratio beats the national average, and its $752 monthly rent is among the lowest in this dataset, reflecting a truly affordable rural housing market. Though median household income at $69,833 sits modestly below the national $74,755 average, renters here stretch their dollars further than most Americans.

Second-best bargain in Minnesota

Norman County's 12.9% rent-to-income ratio ranks second only to Murray County in this eight-county comparison, well below Minnesota's 14.5% state average. At $752 monthly rent—$163 below the state average—Norman renters enjoy some of the state's most affordable housing markets.

Renter's paradise in a rural tier

Norman's $752 rent stands as the lowest among all eight counties profiled, beating even Murray County's $768, while its 12.9% burden ratio ranks exceptionally low. However, Norman's $135,700 median home value—lowest in the group—suggests buyers here face different tradeoffs than renters.

Renters win, homebuyers face modest costs

Norman County renters enjoy a remarkable 12.9% housing burden at just $752 monthly, while owners spend roughly 14.2% on mortgages for the region's cheapest homes at $135,700. This county offers exceptional value for renters; homebuyers benefit from low absolute costs but limited property appreciation potential.

Perfect for renters seeking affordability

Norman County delivers the lowest rents in this eight-county group at $752 monthly and a stellar 12.9% rent-to-income ratio, ideal for budget-conscious renters. If you're considering homeownership, its $826 monthly payments and $135,700 home values offer cheap entry, though appreciate that property values here are Minnesota's lowest among peer counties.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Norman County

via IncomeByCounty

Norman County below U.S. median

Norman County's median household income of $69,833 trails the national median of $74,755 by 6.6%, reflecting typical rural Minnesota income challenges. The county's agricultural base and small town economy limit higher-wage opportunities.

Lower-middle tier in Minnesota

At $69,833, Norman County ranks below Minnesota's state average of $75,757 and places in the lower half of the state's 87 counties. However, the per capita income of $37,681 nearly matches the state average of $39,335, suggesting reasonable individual earnings.

Similar to Morrison County's profile

Norman County's $69,833 income closely parallels Morrison County ($68,640) and sits slightly below Otter Tail County ($70,912), revealing a consistent income band across north-central Minnesota. These three counties share similar economic reliance on agriculture and light manufacturing.

Excellent housing affordability

Norman County boasts a rent-to-income ratio of 12.9%, well below stress thresholds, and the lowest median home value in this county group at $135,700. Households enjoy exceptional housing affordability, making homeownership particularly accessible.

Build equity in affordable market

Norman County's $135,700 median home value is one of Minnesota's most affordable, enabling even modest-income households to build substantial home equity quickly. Aggressive early mortgage payments or refinancing can accelerate wealth accumulation in this lower-cost market.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Norman County

via HealthByCounty

Norman County trails national health benchmarks

At 77.5 years, Norman County residents live nearly 2.7 years less than the U.S. average of 80.2 years, the lowest life expectancy among examined Minnesota counties. With 15.0% reporting poor or fair health, Norman faces significant health challenges requiring comprehensive intervention.

Norman County has lowest state life expectancy

Norman County's 77.5-year life expectancy falls 1.2 years below Minnesota's 78.7-year state average, ranking it among the state's lowest. At 6.8% uninsured, the county slightly exceeds the state average of 6.0%, contributing to unmet healthcare needs.

Norman trails all regional peers significantly

Norman County's 77.5-year life expectancy ranks lowest among its regional neighbors, including Otter Tail County (78.9 years) and Mower County (78.8 years). The county faces a longevity gap that underscores deeper healthcare access and prevention challenges.

Severe shortage of mental health providers

Primary care provider data is unavailable for Norman County, but mental health access is critically limited with just 16 providers per 100,000 residents—among the lowest statewide. This shortage likely contributes to untreated behavioral health conditions and downstream physical health deterioration.

Norman County: improve access to care today

Norman County's health gap demands action: 6.8% of residents lack insurance, and mental health support is scarce. Visit MNsure.org to secure coverage and speak with your doctor about available mental health resources in your community.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Norman County

via RiskByCounty

Norman among nation's lowest-risk counties

Norman County's composite risk score of just 14.38 places it in the "Very Low" category and far below the national average. This northwestern Minnesota county experiences minimal exposure to most major natural hazards, making it exceptionally safe by national standards.

Minnesota's safest county tier

At 14.38, Norman County's risk score is less than one-third of Minnesota's statewide average of 42.38—ranking among the state's three safest counties. The county's stable climate and minimal hazard exposure are exceptional within Minnesota.

Safest in its northwest Minnesota region

Norman County is significantly safer than neighboring Wilkin, Polk, and Otter Tail counties. Its low profile across tornado, flood, and wildfire risks makes it an outlier in the region.

Wildfire only moderate concern

Even Norman County's highest-risk hazard—wildfire at 47.04—remains below statewide average, while tornado (23.09) and flood (17.59) are both quite low. The county faces unusually minimal natural disaster exposure.

Standard homeowners coverage adequate

Norman County residents can rely on standard homeowners insurance without specialized flood or wildfire policies. Maintaining basic emergency preparedness and staying informed during severe weather remains sensible, though the county's low risk profile requires less urgent action.

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.