countyscore
32.5
County Score
Water Quality 86Income & Jobs 83.5Health 73.7

County Report Card

About Ramsey County, Minnesota

Facing Significant Urban Challenges

Ramsey County struggles with a composite score of 32.6, significantly lower than the national median of 50.0. This suggests it faces more systemic livability hurdles than the average American county.

A Distant Outlier in Minnesota

The county's score of 32.6 is drastically lower than the state average of 55.8. As a dense urban hub, it grapples with costs and safety issues that more rural Minnesota counties avoid.

High Salaries and Water Quality

The county’s greatest asset is its income score of 84.8, reflecting a high median household income of $81,004. It also maintains excellent resource standards with a water score of 86.0.

Critical Safety and Cost Issues

Safety is a major concern with a score of 2.8, the lowest in this group. Combined with a risk score of 5.4 and a cost score of 9.9, the financial and personal security trade-offs are steep.

A Hub for Career-Driven Urbanites

Ramsey County is best for high-earning professionals who prioritize proximity to jobs and urban amenities over low costs or safety metrics. It is a high-risk, high-reward environment for those focused on income growth.

2040608010022.910.42.873.746.283.55.48649.5Tax22.9Cost10.4Safety2.8Health73.7Schools46.2Income83.5Risk5.4Water86Weather49.532.5/100
This county
National avg
3 above average4 below average

Ramsey County DNA

Foverall

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

Ramsey County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (83.5/100) but notably weak in Safety (2.8/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
22.9-29.1
Cost
10.4-37.6
Safety
2.8-52.2
Health
73.7+23.700000000000003
Schools
46.2
Income
83.5+32.5
Risk
5.4-41.6
Water
86+28
Weather
49.5
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Whether buying or refinancing in Ramsey County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$326,600

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,329/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$326,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$53,160/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum4.0x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $81,568/yr
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Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

20.6

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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Counties with similar scores

Johnson County
Texas
Median income: $84,859
32.5
Prince George's County
Maryland
Median income: $101,798
32.4
Bolivar County
Mississippi
Median income: $39,585
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Yellowstone County
Montana
Median income: $76,570
32.6
Wayne County
North Carolina
Median income: $59,733
32.4
Chambers County
Texas
Median income: $109,804
32.4
Grayson County
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Median income: $72,182
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Maverick County
Texas
Median income: $49,568
32.4

Nearby counties

Washington County
Minnesota
47.5
Anoka County
Minnesota
43.5
Hennepin County
Minnesota
35.8
Dakota County
Minnesota
42.9
St. Croix County
Wisconsin
50.9
Scott County
Minnesota
46.1
Carver County
Minnesota
56
Pierce County
Wisconsin
54

Deep Dives

Ramsey County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Ramsey County

via TaxByCounty

Ramsey taxes rank among highest nationally

Ramsey County's 1.236% effective tax rate significantly exceeds the national median of 0.968%, placing it in the highest tier nationally for property taxation. The median home value of $304,900 tops the national median, meaning residents pay both more in dollars and higher percentage rates.

Highest tax rate in Minnesota

At 1.236%, Ramsey County has the highest effective tax rate among Minnesota's 87 counties, nearly 28% above the state average of 0.968%. This reflects the costs of supporting the Twin Cities metro area and Saint Paul services.

Significantly higher than surrounding counties

Ramsey County's 1.236% rate far exceeds regional neighbors like Hennepin and Washington counties, which run notably lower. The urban density and infrastructure demands of Saint Paul drive this county's elevated tax burden.

Substantial $3,767 annual property tax

The median home in Ramsey County valued at $304,900 generates approximately $3,767 in annual property taxes at the 1.236% effective rate. This is 74% higher than the state median of $2,168, reflecting both higher home values and the county's steep tax rate.

Ramsey homeowners should review assessments

With high tax bills, even small assessment errors create substantial savings opportunities through appeals. Ramsey County residents should verify their property values reflect current market conditions and challenge any inflated assessments.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Ramsey County

via IncomeByCounty

Ramsey Outearns National Average Significantly

Ramsey County's median household income of $81,004 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by 8.3%, placing it well above average. The county ranks in the upper quarter of U.S. income distribution, driven by its urban St. Paul economy.

Minnesota's Wealthiest County

Ramsey County leads Minnesota with a median household income of $81,004, significantly surpassing the state average of $75,757 by over $5,200. As home to Minnesota's second-largest city, the county anchors the state's economic strength.

Dramatically Outpaces Rural Neighbors

Ramsey's $81,004 median towers over surrounding rural counties: Pennington ($72,561), Polk ($69,136), and Pine ($69,666) all fall $11,000–$12,000 below. The urban-rural income divide is starkly visible across the region.

High Income, High Housing Costs

Ramsey County's 19.2% rent-to-income ratio is notably elevated, reflecting premium urban housing at $304,900 median value. While incomes are strong, residents allocate a larger share to housing than rural peers.

Leverage Prosperity for Wealth Building

Ramsey County's $81,004 median income positions households to save substantially after housing and living expenses. Advanced strategies like tax-loss harvesting, diversified investments, and wealth-transfer planning can maximize long-term financial growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Ramsey County

via CrimeByCounty

Navigating Public Safety in Ramsey County

Ramsey County carries a safety score of 93.4, reflecting the complexities of its urban environment. Its total crime rate of 4,185.0 per 100K is significantly higher than the national average of 2,385.5.

Safety Challenges in the Metro Area

Ramsey's safety score of 93.4 is lower than the Minnesota state average of 98.2. As a major population center, it experiences higher crime volumes than the state average of 1,123.5.

Comparing Ramsey to Regional Standards

Ramsey's crime rate of 4,185.0 per 100K far exceeds rural neighbors like Pine County at 1,498.8. This disparity highlights the typical difference between dense metropolitan hubs and more rural jurisdictions.

Violent vs. Property Crime Trends

Property crime is the dominant issue, reaching 3,691.9 per 100K residents. The violent crime rate of 493.1 also exceeds the national average, requiring active community and law enforcement focus.

Proactive Security for Urban Living

Residents can mitigate risks by using home security systems and being aware of their surroundings. Strong neighborhood connections play a vital role in reducing property crime in urban settings.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Ramsey County

via WeatherByCounty

Urban Warmth in a Cold State

Ramsey County averages 45.9°F annually, which is warmer than most of Minnesota but still below the national median of 54°F. It is also wetter than the national average with 31.7 inches of precipitation.

Among Minnesota's Warmer Counties

The county is significantly warmer than the 42.8°F Minnesota average. Its 31.7 inches of annual precipitation also exceeds the state average of 30.0 inches.

Warmer Than Surrounding Areas

Ramsey is over one degree warmer on average than Rice County and nearly three degrees warmer than Renville. It receives 40.4 inches of snow, which is typical for the Twin Cities region.

Warmest Summers in the Group

July averages 72.9°F, the highest in this group, with 10 days of extreme heat. Winters are comparatively milder than northern counties, with an 18.8°F average from December through February.

Manage Both Heat and Humidity

With 31.7 inches of rain and 10 heat days, air conditioning is a necessity for urban residents. Winter tires are recommended to navigate the 40.4 inches of annual snow.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Ramsey County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic and Sandy Urban Soils

Ramsey County's soil score of 63.8 reflects its more challenging urban and sandy profile. The soil is acidic with a pH of 5.77, which is lower than both the national median and the state average of 6.21. These conditions often require amendments like lime for traditional gardening.

Dominated by Sand and Silt

The ground here is majority sand at 51.0%, paired with 38.4% silt and only 10.6% clay. This sand-heavy mix means the soil is very loose and drains extremely quickly. However, the low clay content means the soil may struggle to hold onto nutrients over time.

Modest Organic Matter and Water Holding

Organic matter sits at 6.71%, which is below the state average of 9.90%. The available water capacity is also lower than the state benchmark at 0.180 in/in. Gardeners in this area will need to focus on adding organic amendments to improve moisture retention.

Fast-Draining Ground for Urban Living

With over half the soil composed of sand, water moves through Ramsey County's ground very quickly. While this prevents puddling, it can lead to dry conditions for lawns and gardens during heatwaves. This fast drainage is generally a plus for construction and urban infrastructure.

Warmer Opportunities in Zone 5a

Ramsey County enjoys a slightly warmer climate in Zone 5a, allowing for a longer list of plant varieties. The acidic, sandy soil is great for pines and azaleas, but vegetable gardeners should use raised beds and compost. With a little extra water and care, your urban garden can flourish.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Ramsey County

via LawnByCounty

Thriving Lawns in the Capital

Ramsey County features a high lawn difficulty score of 72.0, well above the national average of 50.0. As a Zone 5a region, it offers one of the most temperate growing environments in Minnesota for residential turf.

Longer Season and More Rain

Residents enjoy 31.7 inches of annual precipitation, which is higher than the state average. This supports a robust 2,769 growing degree days, though 10 extreme heat days mean you should monitor for summer wilt.

Sandy Soil Needs Nutrients

The soil is quite sandy at 51.0%, which facilitates fast drainage but can lead to nutrient leaching. With a pH of 5.77, some homeowners may need a light application of lime to bring the soil into the ideal 6.0 to 7.0 range.

Excellent Drought Resilience

Ramsey County has seen 0 weeks of drought over the past year and currently reports no abnormally dry areas. This consistent moisture access makes it an ideal location for maintaining a lush, green lawn without heavy water restrictions.

Capitalize on Zone 5a Perks

The long growing season begins early on April 25 and lasts until October 12, the latest in this group. High-quality Kentucky Bluegrass blends are perfect for this extended season and temperate Zone 5a climate.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ramsey County's county score?
Ramsey County, Minnesota has a composite county score of 32.5 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 Ramsey County rank among counties in Minnesota?
Ramsey County ranks #87 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 Ramsey County, Minnesota?
The median annual property tax in Ramsey County is $3,966, with an effective tax rate of 1.21%. This earns Ramsey County a tax score of 22.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Ramsey County?
The median household income in Ramsey County, Minnesota is $81,568 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Ramsey County earns an income score of 83.5/100 on CountyScore.
Is Ramsey County, Minnesota a good place to live?
Ramsey County scores 32.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #87 in Minnesota. The best way to evaluate Ramsey 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 Ramsey 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.