Pine County's composite score of 69.5 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by nearly 20 points, placing it among the better-performing counties in the United States. Residents experience measurably higher livability than the typical American county.
2 / 5
Competitive with Minnesota's broader profile
Pine County scores 69.5, marginally below Minnesota's state average of 70.9, positioning it firmly in the middle-to-upper segment of the state's 87 counties. It remains a solid performer relative to its state peers.
3 / 5
Low taxes and housing affordability shine
Pine County boasts the lowest effective tax rate among this cohort at 0.875%, paired with a tax score of 77.7 and excellent cost affordability (76.7). Median rent of $873/month and median home value of $225,600 reflect strong value for residents.
4 / 5
Income levels and risk appetite need work
With an income score of just 28.9 and median household income of $69,666, Pine County underperforms on earning potential compared to state averages. Its risk score of 37.9 is also concerning, indicating notable economic or environmental vulnerabilities.
5 / 5
Best for cost-conscious, tax-averse families
Pine County appeals to households prioritizing low taxes, affordable housing, and rural living over high incomes and maximum economic resilience. This county rewards budget-focused residents seeking a quiet, economical lifestyle.
Pine County's composite score of 69.5 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by nearly 20 points, placing it among the better-performing counties in the United States. Residents experience measurably higher livability than the typical American county.
Competitive with Minnesota's broader profile
Pine County scores 69.5, marginally below Minnesota's state average of 70.9, positioning it firmly in the middle-to-upper segment of the state's 87 counties. It remains a solid performer relative to its state peers.
Low taxes and housing affordability shine
Pine County boasts the lowest effective tax rate among this cohort at 0.875%, paired with a tax score of 77.7 and excellent cost affordability (76.7). Median rent of $873/month and median home value of $225,600 reflect strong value for residents.
Income levels and risk appetite need work
With an income score of just 28.9 and median household income of $69,666, Pine County underperforms on earning potential compared to state averages. Its risk score of 37.9 is also concerning, indicating notable economic or environmental vulnerabilities.
Best for cost-conscious, tax-averse families
Pine County appeals to households prioritizing low taxes, affordable housing, and rural living over high incomes and maximum economic resilience. This county rewards budget-focused residents seeking a quiet, economical lifestyle.
Score breakdown
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🏛77.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Pine County's 0.875% effective tax rate falls below the national median of 0.968%, placing it in the more tax-friendly range. With a median home value of $225,600—20% below the US median—residents here enjoy both lower-priced homes and a gentler tax burden.
Among Minnesota's lowest tax rates
Pine County ranks in the lower half statewide for effective tax rate at 0.875%, notably below Minnesota's 0.968% average. This makes it one of the more affordable counties for property taxation in the state.
Better rates than most regional peers
Pine County's 0.875% effective rate beats nearby Duluth-area counties and northern Minnesota neighbors. Compared to Pennington County at 1.218% and Polk County at 0.999%, Pine residents pay meaningfully less in property taxes relative to home value.
Roughly $1,973 on a median home
A median home valued at $225,600 in Pine County generates approximately $1,973 in annual property taxes at the 0.875% effective rate. This is nearly $200 below the state median of $2,168, reflecting the county's more modest tax burden.
Verify your home's assessment value
Even in lower-tax counties, overassessment happens when property values decline or improvements aren't properly credited. Pine County homeowners should review their assessments regularly and appeal if they believe the value is inflated.
Pine County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.0% edges slightly above the national average of 14.5%, though the county's median household income of $69,666 falls $5,089 short of the U.S. median. At $873 monthly, rent remains affordable despite modest incomes.
Just above Minnesota's rental affordability average
Pine County's 15.0% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Minnesota's 14.5% state average by a hair. The median rent of $873 undercuts the statewide median of $915, making it slightly more affordable than the typical Minnesota county.
Affordable rents; higher homeownership costs
Pine County's $873 rent is the lowest among regional peers like Pennington ($900) and Polk ($843), though just shy of Pipestone's bargain $731. Homebuyers face $1,051 monthly costs—higher than Pipestone or Redwood but lower than Pennington.
Renters get the better deal than owners
At $69,666 median income, Pine County renters dedicate 15% to the $873 monthly rent, while homeowners stretch to 18% paying $1,051. The median home value of $225,600 makes ownership a heavier lift than renting for most households.
If affordable rents matter most, Pine County's $873 median is among Minnesota's lowest. But compare ownership costs carefully—Pine homeowners pay more than renters relative to income, unlike cheaper counties like Pipestone or Redwood.
Pine County's median household income of $69,666 falls about 7% short of the national median of $74,755. This positions the county in the lower-middle range of American income distribution.
Lower-Income County in Minnesota
Pine County's $69,666 median income ranks below Minnesota's state average of $75,757, placing it among the lower-earning counties in the state. The gap of approximately $6,000 reflects the economic challenges of rural northeastern Minnesota.
Struggles Against Wealthier Neighbors
Pine County trails nearby Ramsey County ($81,004) by over $11,000 and underperforms regional peers like Pennington County ($72,561). Within its region, Pine faces income headwinds comparable to Redwood County ($67,024).
Housing Affordable Despite Lower Income
Pine County's 15.0% rent-to-income ratio indicates manageable housing costs relative to local earnings. Though median home values of $225,600 are substantial, the ratio shows most households can afford stable housing.
Strategic Saving Builds Resilience
At $69,666 median income, Pine County households should prioritize building emergency savings first, then explore employer retirement plans and tax-advantaged accounts. Even modest regular contributions compound significantly over time.
Pine County residents live to 76.9 years on average, 1.5 years shorter than the U.S. median of 76.4 years and 1.8 years below Minnesota's state average of 78.7 years. With 15.0% reporting poor or fair health, the county faces steeper health challenges than most Americans.
Struggling with Minnesota's worst metrics
Pine County ranks among Minnesota's lowest counties for life expectancy, trailing the state average by nearly two years. The 15.0% poor/fair health rate places it in the bottom quartile statewide, signaling persistent health inequities in the population.
Severe shortage of medical providers
Pine County has just 17 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—the lowest rate among its neighbors and roughly one-third the state average. With 225 mental health providers per 100K, behavioral health access is strained compared to counties like Pennington (335 per 100K).
High uninsured rate and limited options
At 6.8% uninsured, Pine County exceeds the state average of 6.0%, meaning nearly 700 residents per 100,000 lack coverage. The acute shortage of primary care providers compounds this gap, forcing many residents to travel long distances for routine medical care.
Coverage is critical for Pine County
Without insurance, Pine County residents face both cost and access barriers in a county with limited providers. Visit MNsure.org or call 1-855-366-7873 to explore Medicaid, MinnesotaCare, or marketplace plans—investing in coverage can be lifesaving here.
Pine County's risk moderately exceeds U.S. baseline
Pine County scores 62.15 on the composite risk scale, placing it comfortably above the national average. This "Relatively Low" rating reflects a diverse hazard profile anchored by elevated flood and wildfire exposure. The score signals meaningful but manageable risk that calls for targeted preparation rather than extreme alarm.
Pine County ranks among Minnesota's higher-risk counties
Pine County's composite score of 62.15 substantially exceeds Minnesota's state average of 42.38, positioning it in the upper third of the state's 87 counties. This elevation is driven primarily by flood risk (69.27) and wildfire exposure (65.78) that reflect the county's forest and river geography. The ranking underscores Pine's distinct vulnerability profile compared to most Minnesota counties.
Pine County faces higher exposure than northeast peers
Pine County's score of 62.15 notably exceeds Red Lake County to the west (2.16) and Polk County to the northwest (67.05), putting it in a distinctive middle-upper position. Pine's tornado risk (52.04) exceeds most regional neighbors, while its wildfire exposure (65.78) reflects substantial forest coverage that dominates northeastern Minnesota. This positioning makes Pine more vulnerable than some neighbors but less exposed than Minnesota's highest-risk counties.
Flooding and wildfire shape Pine County safety
Flood risk scores 69.27, reflecting the St. Louis and Kettle Rivers that drain through the county and pose seasonal inundation threats, especially during spring snowmelt. Wildfire risk reaches 65.78, driven by dense boreal forest that covers roughly 60% of the county and creates fuel for potential large-scale fires. Tornado risk is moderate at 52.04, more significant than lower-risk Minnesota counties but below the state's most tornado-prone areas.
Safeguard against water and fire in Pine County
Obtain a separate flood insurance policy immediately if your home is in a mapped flood zone—standard homeowners policies do not cover flood damage. Invest in a wildfire insurance rider and create defensible space by removing dead trees, clearing brush within 100 feet of structures, and keeping gutters clean. Meet with your insurance agent annually to verify coverage limits match your home's current replacement value and location-specific risks.