countyscore
43.9
County Score
Health 91.5Soil Quality 87.2Income & Jobs 72.7

County Report Card

About Pennington County, Minnesota

Falling Behind the National Midpoint

Pennington County earns a composite score of 43.9, placing it below the national median of 50.0. This score indicates a quality of life profile that trails roughly 60% of counties across the United States.

Trailing the Minnesota Average

With a score of 43.9, the county sits well below the Minnesota state average of 55.8. It faces stiff competition from high-performing neighbors in a state known for its high standard of living.

Elite Health and Strong Earnings

The county boasts an exceptional health score of 91.5, suggesting superior local medical outcomes. Residents also benefit from a strong income score of 72.7, supported by a solid median household income of $72,561.

High Tax Burden and Safety Concerns

Taxation is a significant hurdle here, with a low tax score of 24.9 driven by an effective rate of 1.218%. Safety also presents a challenge, as the dimension score of 26.3 is among the lowest in the region.

A Fit for Healthy Professionals

This county is best suited for high-earning individuals who prioritize excellent health metrics and career stability. While the tax burden is high, the strong income levels help balance the monthly budget.

2040608010024.933.826.391.537.672.75354.546.5Tax24.9Cost33.8Safety26.3Health91.5Schools37.6Income72.7Risk53Water54.5Weather46.543.9/100
This county
National avg
2 above average4 below average

Pennington County DNA

Foverall

How Pennington County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Pennington County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Health (91.5/100) but notably weak in Safety (26.3/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
24.9-27.1
Cost
33.8-14.200000000000003
Safety
26.3-28.7
Health
91.5+41.5
Schools
37.6-16.4
Income
72.7+21.700000000000003
Risk
53
Water
54.5
Weather
46.5-9.5
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Think property taxes are too high in Pennington County?

Many homeowners in Pennington County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$188,900

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$900/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$188,900/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$36,000/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.6x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $72,561/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

28.8

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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Lawrence County
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Cocke County
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Nearby counties

Red Lake County
Minnesota
73.1
Polk County
Minnesota
50.9
Clearwater County
Minnesota
65.2
Beltrami County
Minnesota
36
Marshall County
Minnesota
69.1
Mahnomen County
Minnesota
47
Roseau County
Minnesota
56.2
Norman County
Minnesota
68.8

Deep Dives

Pennington County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Pennington County

via TaxByCounty

Pennington taxes above US average

Pennington County's 1.218% effective tax rate runs 25% higher than the national median of 0.968%, placing it in the upper tier nationally. While the median home here costs $188,900—33% below the US median of $281,900—the higher rate means residents pay a steeper percentage of home value in taxes each year.

Third-highest rate in Minnesota

Among Minnesota's 87 counties, Pennington ranks third-highest for effective tax rate at 1.218%, well above the state average of 0.968%. Only Ramsey County and one other county tax property at higher rates statewide.

Notably pricier than nearby counties

Pennington's 1.218% rate significantly exceeds its neighbors: Polk County at 0.999%, Red Lake County at 0.959%, and Beltrami County. Despite having a lower median home value than Polk, Pennington residents pay more in annual property taxes due to the higher effective rate.

About $2,300 annually on median home

The median home in Pennington County valued at $188,900 generates approximately $2,300 in annual property taxes at the county's 1.218% effective rate. This aligns with the county's reported median property tax and exceeds the state median of $2,168 by $132 per year.

Homeowners should verify assessments

Property values can shift, but assessments don't always keep pace with market changes. Many Pennington County homeowners may be overassessed and eligible for an appeal—a process worth exploring to potentially reduce annual tax bills.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Pennington County

via CostByCounty

Pennington's rent burden slightly above national norm

Renters in Pennington County spend 14.9% of their income on housing, slightly above the national average of 14.5%. While the county's median household income of $72,561 trails the U.S. median by $2,194, housing costs remain manageable by national standards.

Middle of the pack in Minnesota affordability

Pennington County ranks near the state average for rental affordability, with a rent-to-income ratio that nearly matches Minnesota's 14.5% statewide average. The median rent of $900 is slightly below the state median of $915.

Cheaper than Pine, similar to Polk

Pennington's $900 monthly rent undercuts neighboring Pine County ($873) and compares favorably to Polk County ($843). However, homeownership costs in Pennington ($1,076/month) are notably higher than in rural Pipestone ($787) or Redwood ($784) counties.

Housing takes a modest slice of income

On a median income of $72,561, renters spend $900 monthly while homeowners pay $1,076—totaling about 15% and 18% of household income respectively. The affordability gap between renting and owning widens in Pennington, where median home values reach $188,900.

Consider Pennington for balanced housing costs

If you're weighing relocation, Pennington offers housing costs near national averages with a decent income base. Compare it to Red Lake County's exceptional 9.7% rent burden or Ramsey County's tight 19.2% ratio to find your affordability sweet spot.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Pennington County

via IncomeByCounty

Pennington Slightly Below National Average

Pennington County's median household income of $72,561 trails the national median of $74,755 by about 3%. This places the county near the middle of the national income distribution, where most American households earn between $50,000 and $85,000 annually.

Mid-Tier Earner in Minnesota

Pennington ranks in the middle of Minnesota's 87 counties with a median household income below the state average of $75,757. The county's $72,561 reflects typical earnings for rural northern Minnesota communities.

Strong Among Regional Peers

Pennington's $72,561 median income outperforms nearby Pipestone County ($66,073) and Redwood County ($67,024), but trails the more prosperous Ramsey County ($81,004). Within its rural region, Pennington ranks as a solid middle-income community.

Housing Costs Remain Reasonable

The county's 14.9% rent-to-income ratio shows housing costs are affordable—well below the 30% threshold that signals housing stress. With a median home value of $188,900 and stable household income, homeownership is within reach for most working families.

Build Financial Security Here

Pennington households earning $72,561 have meaningful opportunity to save and invest after covering basic expenses. Starting an emergency fund, exploring retirement accounts, and consulting a financial advisor can help unlock long-term wealth building.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Pennington County

via CrimeByCounty

Safety Trends in Pennington County

Pennington County maintains a high safety score of 97.2, signaling a secure environment for residents. Its total crime rate of 1,793.5 per 100K people remains comfortably below the national average of 2,385.5.

Local Safety Compared to State Standards

The county's safety score falls just below the Minnesota state average of 98.2. While its total crime rate is higher than the state average of 1,123.5, it remains lower than many national counterparts.

Comparative Crime Rates Near Pennington

Pennington's crime rate of 1,793.5 per 100K is higher than neighboring Polk County at 1,040.8. However, it offers a distinct profile compared to Red Lake County, which reports a significantly lower rate of 204.4.

A Closer Look at Local Crime Types

Property crime drives the local statistics, accounting for 1,714.9 incidents per 100K. Conversely, the violent crime rate is exceptionally low at 78.6, which is less than a quarter of the national violent crime average.

Building a Safer Community Together

While violent crime is rare, property incidents make up the bulk of local reports. Residents can further enhance community safety by installing smart security cameras and joining local neighborhood watch programs.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Pennington County

via SchoolsByCounty

Pennington's Two-District Education Network

Pennington County manages a compact education system consisting of 7 public schools serving 2,069 students. The infrastructure is primarily concentrated in two districts, featuring four high schools, two elementary schools, and one middle school.

Graduation Rates Near State Averages

The county reports an 85.9% graduation rate, which sits just below the Minnesota state average of 86.6% and the national 87% benchmark. Local per-pupil spending of $7,350 is more conservative than the state average of $8,463 and significantly lower than the national $13,000 median.

Thief River Falls Leads Local Enrollment

The Thief River Falls School District is the county's primary provider, educating 1,806 students across five schools. The remaining 263 students are served by the Goodridge Public School District, and there are currently no charter schools operating in the county.

A Mix of Town and Rural Settings

Schooling here split between four town-based facilities and three rural locations, with an average school size of 345 students. Challenger Elementary is the largest campus with 783 students, while Goodridge Secondary offers a more intimate setting with just 114 students.

Living Near Pennington Schools

Families looking for a community-focused education experience should explore housing options near the Thief River Falls or Goodridge districts. Local school quality remains a stable factor for those investing in this northern Minnesota region.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Pennington County

via RiskByCounty

Pennington's risk sits slightly above U.S. average

Pennington County scores 46.98 on the composite risk scale, placing it modestly above the national average. This "Relatively Low" rating reflects a mixed hazard profile—some risks exceed national norms while others remain manageable. Understanding which threats matter most locally helps you prepare more effectively.

Mid-range risk ranking within Minnesota

Pennington County's composite score of 46.98 slightly exceeds Minnesota's average of 42.38, ranking it toward the middle of the state's 87 counties. While not among Minnesota's safest or most at-risk counties, the profile warrants focused preparation for specific hazards. Regional neighbors show notably different risk patterns worth comparing.

Northwestern peers face varied hazard exposure

Pennington County's risk level (46.98) falls between Polk County to the west at 67.05 and Pope County to the south at 20.55, reflecting Pennington's middle position in the northwest region. Pennington faces higher wildfire exposure (82.25) than Pope County (36.51), while tornado risk (26.40) remains well below Minnesota's most vulnerable counties. This clustering shows how geography shapes distinct disaster patterns across neighboring areas.

Wildfire and flood dominate Pennington's hazard mix

Wildfire risk reaches 82.25 in Pennington County—among the state's highest—driven by forest coverage and seasonal dryness that make spring and fall particularly dangerous. Flood risk scores 67.81, reflecting seasonal river dynamics and spring snowmelt that periodically threaten communities and infrastructure across the county. Tornado risk is comparatively low at 26.40, well below the state median.

Prepare for fire and water in Pennington County

Standard homeowners insurance rarely covers wildfire or flood damage, making separate coverage essential—obtain a wildfire rider and file a National Flood Insurance Program policy if you're in a mapped flood zone. Create defensible space around structures by clearing vegetation and gutters, and maintain a property evacuation plan given the county's elevated wildfire threat. Review your coverage annually and after any hazard event to ensure protection keeps pace with property value.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Pennington County

via WaterByCounty

Drinking water grade earns a C

Pennington County maintains a C grade with one health violation recorded over the last five years. Its violation rate of 10.8 per 100,000 residents is notably lower than the Minnesota state average of 32.5.

Watershed assessment pending federal review

Local water bodies in Pennington County are not yet covered in the federal Clean Water Act §303(d) assessment. While the state average for impaired waters is 1.5%, this county currently lacks a formal impairment percentage from the EPA.

Substantial monitoring across thirty-seven sites

Technicians collected 11,063 measurements from 37 monitoring sites over the past five years. The most frequent data points track physical characteristics, organics, pesticides, and nutrients in the water supply.

Streamgage data currently unavailable

The primary USGS gauge on the Red Lake River at Thief River Falls is not reporting current discharge or long-term mean data. Without live flow metrics, residents should rely on the county’s moderate drinking water compliance signal for quality updates.

Monitor filtration and local reports

A Grade C rating indicates that while water meets most standards, residents should stay informed about the specific causes of the recorded health violation. Home filtration can provide an extra layer of protection against the organic compounds and pesticides frequently monitored in the area.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Pennington County

via WeatherByCounty

Among the Nation's Coldest Counties

At 39.9°F, Pennington is one of the coldest counties in the nation. It sits more than 12 degrees below the national median temperature.

Cold Even for Minnesota

The county is nearly 3 degrees colder than the Minnesota state average. It ranks as one of the coldest spots in the far northwestern corner of the state.

Typical Far North Temperature Spans

It shares a similar 68.2°F July average with Norman County to the south. While precipitation data is limited, regional trends suggest a dry, cold environment.

Severe Winters and Quick Summers

January is extremely cold with a 5.3°F average, the lowest in this group. Despite the cold, it still sees 6 days of 90°F heat during the short summer.

Preparing for Sub-Zero Streaks

Invest in high-efficiency furnaces and backup power for deep winter freezes. Residents must prepare for sub-zero temperatures that define the 9.6°F winter average.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Pennington County

via SoilByCounty

Pennington's High-Quality Acidic Soil

Pennington County boasts an impressive soil score of 87.2, significantly higher than the Minnesota average of 73.0. The soil is slightly acidic with a pH of 6.04, placing it just below the national median of 6.5. While specific taxonomic orders are not categorized, the overall quality suggests a highly productive environment.

A Light and Workable Sand-Heavy Mix

The soil composition is 46.1% sand, 37.1% silt, and 12.1% clay. This high sand content ensures the ground is easy to work and provides excellent aeration for root systems. The lower clay percentage prevents the soil from becoming overly heavy or compacted during wet seasons.

Exceptional Organic Matter and Water Storage

Organic matter in Pennington is a massive 22.84%, more than double the state average of 9.90%. This richness is paired with an available water capacity of 0.224 in/in, which beats the state benchmark of 0.199 in/in. These factors create a powerhouse for plant growth and nutrient retention.

Efficient Water Management Potential

While official drainage classes are not listed, the 46.1% sand content typically indicates rapid water movement through the profile. This characteristic helps prevent standing water and root rot in a region known for varying precipitation. Builders and farmers should expect well-aerated ground that responds quickly to drainage improvements.

Hardy Crops for the Far North

Pennington County sits in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b, requiring plants that can withstand deep freezes. Short-season vegetables like potatoes and cold-hardy grains thrive in this nutrient-dense soil. Gardeners should take advantage of the high organic matter to grow vigorous, cold-tolerant perennials.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Pennington County

via LawnByCounty

Easier Lawn Care in Pennington County

Pennington earns a 70.4 lawn difficulty score, making it significantly easier to maintain than the national median of 50.0 and the Minnesota average of 63.9. This Zone 3b region offers a favorable environment for turf, though the short growing window requires precision.

Cooler Summers Benefit Northern Lawns

The county experiences only 6 extreme heat days per year, which is lower than the state average of 8. While annual precipitation data is limited for this area, 2,107 growing degree days support steady growth without the stress of frequent scorching temperatures.

Balanced Soil Near Neutral pH

The soil foundation is strong with a pH of 6.04, sitting right at the lower edge of the ideal 6.0 to 7.0 range for healthy turf. With 46.1% sand and 12.1% clay, the soil provides a texture that generally supports good root development.

Managing Moderate Dry Spells

The area faced 7 weeks of drought over the past year, and 45.1% of the county currently experiences abnormally dry conditions. Homeowners should prioritize deep, infrequent watering to encourage resilient root systems that can survive these dry periods.

Start Your Zone 3b Lawn

Kentucky Bluegrass and Fine Fescue thrive in Pennington thanks to their superior cold hardiness in Zone 3b. Aim to seed after the last frost on May 14 to ensure your new lawn establishes before the first fall frost arrives on September 28.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Pennington County's county score?
Pennington County, Minnesota has a composite county score of 43.9 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 Pennington County rank among counties in Minnesota?
Pennington County ranks #75 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 Pennington County, Minnesota?
The median annual property tax in Pennington County is $2,300, with an effective tax rate of 1.22%. This earns Pennington County a tax score of 24.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Pennington County?
The median household income in Pennington County, Minnesota is $72,561 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Pennington County earns an income score of 72.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Pennington County, Minnesota a good place to live?
Pennington County scores 43.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #75 in Minnesota. The best way to evaluate Pennington 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 Pennington County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.