countyscore
65.3
County Score
Soil Quality 88.7Health 86.9Water Quality 86

County Report Card

About Pope County, Minnesota

Exceeding National Livability Benchmarks

Pope County earns a high composite score of 65.4, placing it far above the national median of 50.0. This puts it in the upper echelon of American counties for overall lifestyle quality.

A Top Performer in Minnesota

The county’s 65.4 score easily clears the Minnesota average of 55.8. It stands out as one of the more desirable rural counties in the state, offering a high ceiling for quality of life.

Superior Schools and Health Access

The county excels with a health score of 86.9 and a strong school score of 73.8. Resource security is also a highlight, with a water score of 86.0 ensuring long-term stability.

Housing Costs and Tax Pressures

Affordability is the main constraint here, as the cost score of 37.9 reflects higher median home values of $242,800. The tax score of 54.2 is decent but suggests some upward pressure on household budgets.

The Ideal Choice for Families

With strong schools, high safety, and great health scores, Pope County is a premier destination for families with children. It offers a secure and high-achieving environment for those who can afford the local housing market.

2040608010053.137.374.386.973.875.779.58646Tax53.1Cost37.3Safety74.3Health86.9Schools73.8Income75.7Risk79.5Water86Weather4665.3/100
This county
National avg
6 above average2 below average

Pope County DNA

D+overall

How Pope County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Pope County scores above average across most dimensions. It's a well-balanced county with particular strength in Health (86.9/100).

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
53.1
Cost
37.3-10.700000000000003
Safety
74.3+19.299999999999997
Health
86.9+36.900000000000006
Schools
73.8+19.799999999999997
Income
75.7+24.700000000000003
Risk
79.5+32.5
Water
86+28
Weather
46-10
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$255,100

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$902/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$255,100/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$36,080/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.3x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $76,220/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

26.4

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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Ripley County
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Wheatland County
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Grayson County
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Nearby counties

Douglas County
Minnesota
56.4
Swift County
Minnesota
64.3
Stevens County
Minnesota
64.1
Kandiyohi County
Minnesota
44.4
Grant County
Minnesota
65.8
Chippewa County
Minnesota
58.5
Stearns County
Minnesota
50.1
Lac qui Parle County
Minnesota
74.8

Deep Dives

Pope County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Pope County

via TaxByCounty

Pope County offers tax-friendly rate

Pope County's 0.789% effective tax rate is 18% below the national median of 0.968%, placing it firmly in the tax-friendly category. The median home value of $242,800 approaches the national median, but residents benefit from one of Minnesota's lowest percentage tax rates.

Among Minnesota's lowest tax rates

At 0.789%, Pope County ranks among the lowest effective tax rates statewide, well below Minnesota's 0.968% average. This makes it one of the most tax-favorable counties in the state for property owners.

Significantly lower than area peers

Pope County's 0.789% rate substantially undercuts nearby Pipestone County at 0.911% and Redwood County at 0.960%. Despite having higher median home values than these neighbors, Pope residents pay less in property taxes due to the county's notably lower effective rate.

Minimal $1,915 annual tax burden

The median home in Pope County valued at $242,800 generates approximately $1,915 in annual property taxes at the 0.789% effective rate. This is 12% below the state median of $2,168, delivering significant tax savings despite the county's higher median home values.

Still worth auditing your assessment

Even in low-tax counties, property values can be overestimated by assessors, especially when the local real estate market shifts. Pope County homeowners should verify their assessments and appeal if the value exceeds fair market worth.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Pope County

via IncomeByCounty

Pope County Slightly Below National Median

Pope County's median household income of $72,205 falls about 3.4% short of the national median of $74,755. The county ranks near the U.S. middle, where most families earn between $70,000 and $80,000.

Mid-Range Earner in Minnesota

Pope County's $72,205 income sits below Minnesota's state average of $75,757, though it's closer to the middle of the statewide distribution. The county represents typical rural Minnesota income levels.

Outperforms Western Rural Counties

Pope County's $72,205 exceeds Pipestone County ($66,073) and Redwood County ($67,024), matching Pennington County ($72,561) closely. The county significantly underperforms Ramsey County's $81,004 median.

Solid Housing Cost Balance

Pope County's 14.1% rent-to-income ratio indicates manageable housing burdens despite a median home value of $242,800. The higher property values reflect the county's relative prosperity, yet remain affordable on local incomes.

Invest in Your Future Now

Pope County households earning $72,205 can comfortably save 15–20% of gross income while maintaining standard living. Exploring 401(k)s, IRAs, and diversified investments positions families for long-term financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Pope County

via CrimeByCounty

Pope County: A National Safety Leader

Pope County earns a high safety score of 99.0, reflecting its status as a very secure community. The total crime rate of 610.0 per 100K is a fraction of the 2,385.5 national average.

Outperforming the Minnesota Average

The county's safety score of 99.0 ranks it above the Minnesota state average of 98.2. Three local agencies work together to keep crime levels significantly below the state average of 1,123.5.

Regional Safety Comparisons

Pope County's crime rate of 610.0 per 100K is much lower than Redwood's 946.3. It stands out as one of the safer options in the region, offering residents great peace of mind.

Understanding the Local Crime Mix

Violent crime is rare in Pope County, with a rate of 88.4 per 100K people. Property crime stands at 521.6, which remains far lower than the national property crime rate of 2,015.7.

Simple Steps for Continued Safety

Securing garages and sheds is a smart way to prevent the most common local property crimes. Pope County's low crime rates are a community asset that residents can help protect through awareness.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Pope County

via WeatherByCounty

Substantial Seasonal Variation

Pope County’s 43.3°F annual average is more than 10 degrees below the national median of 54°F. It averages 26.4 inches of precipitation, typical for the Upper Midwest.

Aligning With the State Average

The county's average temperature of 43.3°F sits just above the Minnesota state average of 42.8°F. Its 26.4 inches of precipitation is slightly below the state average of 30.0 inches.

Moderate Compared to Neighbors

Pope is warmer than Polk County but cooler than Pipestone. It records 46.3 inches of snow, which is higher than neighboring Renville County's 37.7 inches.

Snowy Winters and Sunny Julys

Winter brings 46.3 inches of snow and a January average of 12.1°F. Summers are pleasant with a July average of 70.4°F and 9 days of extreme heat over 90°F.

Invest in Snow Removal

Residents need reliable snow blowers to manage the 46.3 inches of annual snowfall. HVAC systems must be robust enough to handle the transition from 15.5°F winters to 90°F heat spikes.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Pope County

via SoilByCounty

Pope County's Perfectly Balanced pH

Pope County soil hits the sweet spot with a pH of 6.50, exactly matching the national median for ideal plant growth. This contributes to an exceptional soil score of 88.7, placing it among the elite counties in Minnesota. The chemical balance here is nearly perfect for a wide range of vegetation.

A Substantial Silt and Clay Mix

The soil composition is 36.3% sand, 37.6% silt, and a robust 21.7% clay. This mixture provides significant structural integrity and helps the soil retain nutrients effectively. While more substantial than sandy soils, it remains workable for most gardening and farming tasks.

High Fertility and Standard Water Capacity

The organic matter content is a healthy 9.62%, nearly mirroring the state average of 9.90%. Its available water capacity is 0.200 in/in, which is essentially equal to the Minnesota benchmark. These figures represent a consistently fertile and reliable growing medium.

Stable Moisture for Growing Seasons

With over 21% clay, this soil holds onto water more tightly than sandier neighbors. While specific drainage data is N/A, the balance of sand and silt suggests moderate drainage that prevents rapid drying. This stability is beneficial for maintaining consistent moisture levels for crops during the summer.

Vibrant Gardening in Zone 4b

Located in Zone 4b, Pope County is well-suited for a variety of temperate crops and ornamental plants. The neutral pH and high soil score mean that almost any plant suited for the climate will thrive here. It is an ideal environment for both professional agriculture and hobby gardening.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Pope County

via LawnByCounty

Optimal Lawn Care in Pope County

Pope County boasts a high lawn difficulty score of 71.9, making it one of the easier places in Minnesota to grow grass. This Zone 4b region outperforms the national median significantly, providing a friendly climate for home landscaping.

Balanced Heat and Growing Days

The county sees 9 extreme heat days, staying close to the state average of 8. While annual precipitation of 26.4 inches is below the state average, the 2,387 growing degree days provide plenty of warmth for turf to flourish.

Rich Soil and Healthy pH

The soil pH is a near-perfect 6.50, sitting right in the sweet spot for nutrient uptake. With 21.7% clay and 36.3% sand, the soil provides a robust structure that holds moisture better than the state's sandier regions.

High Resilience and Low Drought

Pope County is currently enjoying 0% drought coverage, making it a standout for resilience in the state. With only 4 weeks of drought recorded over the past year, lawns here are under much less stress than neighboring areas.

A Longer Season for Success

Take advantage of the May 11 to September 27 growing season by seeding Kentucky Bluegrass or Turf-type Tall Fescue. The favorable soil pH and low drought risk make this an ideal time to start a new lawn project.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Pope County's county score?
Pope County, Minnesota has a composite county score of 65.3 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 Pope County rank among counties in Minnesota?
Pope County ranks #17 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 Pope County, Minnesota?
The median annual property tax in Pope County is $1,967, with an effective tax rate of 0.77%. This earns Pope County a tax score of 53.1/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Pope County?
The median household income in Pope County, Minnesota is $76,220 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Pope County earns an income score of 75.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Pope County, Minnesota a good place to live?
Pope County scores 65.3/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #17 in Minnesota. The best way to evaluate Pope 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 Pope County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, 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.