CountyScore

Otter Tail County

Minnesota · MN

#57 in Minnesota
69.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Otter Tail County, Minnesota

Otter Tail County beats national median

Otter Tail County's score of 69.5 exceeds the national median by 19.5 points, confirming it ranks in the national upper half for livability. This county delivers measurably better quality-of-life conditions than average American communities.

Slightly below Minnesota's already-strong norm

Otter Tail scores 69.5, just 1.4 points below the Minnesota state average of 70.9. The county holds a middle position among Minnesota's competitive county landscape.

Tax efficiency and housing value

Otter Tail posts the lowest effective tax rate in this group (0.779%) with tax score of 80.4, offering genuine tax relief. Housing combines affordability (cost score 78.8) with reasonable value: median home at $252,500 and median rent at $805.

Income potential and modest health outcomes

Income score of 29.7 and median household income of $70,912 indicate limited earning opportunities. Health score of 75.6, while respectable, trails several peers and suggests fewer healthcare resources or outcomes.

Ideal for tax-conscious middle-income families

Otter Tail works best for middle-income households and business owners seeking tax efficiency and stable, affordable living without frills. This is practical Midwestern living where tax savings matter.

Score breakdown

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

Tax80.4Cost78.8SafetyComing SoonHealth75.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome29.7Risk20.6WaterComing Soon
🏛80.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠78.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼29.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤75.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡20.6
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 Otter Tail County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Carroll County
Arkansas
69.5
Median income: $55,187
Burke County
Georgia
69.5
Median income: $50,739
Henderson County
Illinois
69.5
Median income: $65,651
Hamilton County
Iowa
69.5
Median income: $71,750
Coffey County
Kansas
69.5
Median income: $67,377

Deep Dives

Otter Tail County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Otter Tail County

via TaxByCounty

Otter Tail County offers favorable tax rates

Otter Tail County's effective tax rate of 0.779% ranks well below the national median, placing it in the lowest 15% of U.S. counties for property tax burden. The median tax bill of $1,966 is $724 below the national median, making Otter Tail a tax-friendly haven for homeowners.

Below-average taxes for Minnesota

Otter Tail County's 0.779% rate sits comfortably below Minnesota's 0.968% average, ranking it among the state's most tax-efficient counties. The median tax of $1,966 falls below the state median of $2,168, delivering relief despite homes valued near the state average.

Second-lowest rate in the region

Otter Tail County's 0.779% rate trails only Murray County (0.765%) and beats all other regional peers, including Morrison County (0.909%) and Norman County (0.988%). West-central Minnesota's clear tax advantage lies here.

What Otter Tail homeowners actually pay

A median Otter Tail County home valued at $252,500 generates an annual tax bill of approximately $1,966. Homeowners with mortgages pay $1,936, while outright owners pay $2,006—a modest $70 difference reflecting minimal tax credit variation.

Check your assessment anyway

Even in a tax-friendly county like Otter Tail, overassessments occur and cost homeowners real money. Filing a free assessment appeal could provide additional savings on an already favorable tax situation.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Otter Tail County

via CostByCounty

Otter Tail splits the affordability difference

Otter Tail County's 13.6% rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below the national average, though its $805 monthly rent reflects moderate rather than bargain-basement costs. With median household income of $70,912—roughly $4,000 below the national $74,755—residents here achieve decent affordability without extraordinary savings.

Solid middle ground in Minnesota

Otter Tail County's 13.6% rent-to-income ratio outperforms Minnesota's 14.5% state average, placing it firmly in the state's more affordable tier despite $805 monthly rents slightly below the state's $915 average. This middle-of-the-road positioning reflects a balanced county market.

Moderate costs for mid-range incomes

Otter Tail's $805 rent falls between the bargain options (Norman at $752, Murray at $768) and premium markets (Nicollet at $931, Olmsted at $1,283), positioning it as a reasonable middle ground. However, its $252,500 median home value rivals Nicollet's for the region's priciest ownership costs.

Higher ownership costs than rent burden

Otter Tail renters spend 13.6% of income on $805 monthly housing, while owners allocate roughly 16.8% to mortgages on homes averaging $252,500. The county offers better renting proportions, though absolute ownership costs approach Nicollet County levels, suggesting homebuyers should carefully evaluate their income fit.

Balanced option with high home values

Otter Tail County delivers moderate rents ($805, 13.6% burden) with a $70,912 median income, making it reasonable for renters willing to accept mid-range costs. However, its $252,500 median home value and $997 monthly ownership costs suggest homebuyers compare with cheaper markets like Mower County ($172,000 homes) or less pricey renting options like Norman County.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Otter Tail County

via IncomeByCounty

Otter Tail County near national baseline

Otter Tail County's median household income of $70,912 sits about 5.1% below the national median of $74,755, placing it slightly below U.S. norms. The county's mixed economy of manufacturing, agriculture, and services provides moderate but not premium wages.

Slightly below Minnesota average

At $70,912, Otter Tail County ranks below the state average of $75,757 but holds a solid middle position among Minnesota's 87 counties. The per capita income of $38,723 trails the state average of $39,335 by a small margin.

Moderate income among rural peers

Otter Tail County's $70,912 income places it between Morrison ($68,640) and Nicollet ($80,362) counties regionally, reflecting a typical rural Minnesota wage base. The county's diverse economic base slightly outperforms pure farming communities but trails college-town Nicollet.

Housing costs moderate and balanced

Otter Tail County's rent-to-income ratio of 13.6% indicates healthy housing affordability, and the median home value of $252,500 aligns reasonably with local incomes. The balance between income and housing costs remains sustainable for working families and aspiring homebuyers.

Solid foundation for long-term planning

With near-national-average income and moderate housing costs, Otter Tail County households have room in their budgets for consistent saving and investing. Regular contributions to retirement accounts and strategic home equity building create a pathway to meaningful wealth accumulation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Otter Tail County

via HealthByCounty

Otter Tail County slightly exceeds U.S. average

At 78.9 years, Otter Tail County residents live nearly a year less than the U.S. average of 80.2 years, though 17.4% report poor or fair health—above national averages. These metrics suggest moderate health challenges despite a reasonably engaged population.

Otter Tail slightly outpaces Minnesota average

At 78.9 years life expectancy, Otter Tail County marginally exceeds Minnesota's 78.7-year state average, ranking it in the middle tier of state counties. The 6.6% uninsured rate slightly exceeds the state average of 6.0%, indicating modest coverage gaps.

Otter Tail mid-tier among regional peers

Otter Tail County's 78.9-year life expectancy ranks above Norman County (77.5 years) and Morrison County (78.3 years), but below higher-performing Mower County (78.8 years). The 6.6% uninsured rate falls between better-performing neighbors like Morrison County (5.4%) and higher-challenged peers like Mower (7.2%).

Solid primary and mental health provider access

Otter Tail County offers 53 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, providing reasonable general medical access across the county. Mental health support is robust at 162 providers per 100K, offering residents solid behavioral health options.

Otter Tail County: expand coverage reach

With 6.6% of residents uninsured, Otter Tail County has room to improve coverage access and close care gaps. Visit MNsure.org to explore affordable plans and connect uninsured neighbors with healthcare options.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Otter Tail County

via RiskByCounty

Otter Tail faces elevated national risk

Otter Tail County's composite risk score of 79.39 places it in the "Relatively Low" rating but well above the national average. The county's exposure to flooding (83.43), tornadoes (84.16), and wildfire (79.33) makes it one of the nation's more hazard-prone regions.

Among Minnesota's highest-risk counties

At 79.39, Otter Tail County ranks in the top tier statewide, nearly doubling Minnesota's average of 42.38. Only a handful of counties in the state exceed this risk profile.

Significantly riskier than surrounding areas

Otter Tail County faces notably higher risk than neighboring Grant, Douglas, and Pope counties. Its combined flood, tornado, and wildfire exposure is exceptional in the region, positioning it as a hazard concentration area.

Tornadoes, floods, and wildfires all significant

Otter Tail County residents face exceptional tornado risk at 84.16, flood risk at 83.43, and wildfire risk at 79.33—all substantially above state averages. This triple-threat hazard profile requires multi-layered preparedness and protection strategies.

Comprehensive coverage and shelter critical

Otter Tail County residents should maintain flood insurance, wildfire-resistant landscaping, and a designated storm shelter for tornado season. Review homeowners insurance annually to ensure it covers wind, water, and fire damage, and keep emergency supplies accessible year-round.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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