Red Lake County's composite score of 77.7 towers 27.7 points above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top tier of American counties. This represents excellent livability by any U.S. standard.
2 / 5
Exceeds Minnesota's state performance
At 77.7, Red Lake County ranks above Minnesota's average of 70.9, placing it in the upper tier among all 87 state counties. It is one of the strongest performers statewide.
3 / 5
Extreme affordability and exceptional resilience
Red Lake County combines the lowest rent in this cohort ($628/month) with strong cost affordability (83.6) and exceptional risk resilience (97.9). Health (80.2) also excels, providing a well-rounded livability package.
4 / 5
Income potential remains modest
With an income score of 34.0 and median household income of $77,500, Red Lake County shows moderate earning potential. While incomes are respectable, they trail some wealthier Minnesota regions.
5 / 5
Ideal for cost-conscious wealth builders
Red Lake County appeals to families and retirees who value affordability and economic security over high incomes. The exceptional combination of low costs and maximum risk resilience makes it perfect for those seeking financial stability and rural peace.
Red Lake County's composite score of 77.7 towers 27.7 points above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top tier of American counties. This represents excellent livability by any U.S. standard.
Exceeds Minnesota's state performance
At 77.7, Red Lake County ranks above Minnesota's average of 70.9, placing it in the upper tier among all 87 state counties. It is one of the strongest performers statewide.
Extreme affordability and exceptional resilience
Red Lake County combines the lowest rent in this cohort ($628/month) with strong cost affordability (83.6) and exceptional risk resilience (97.9). Health (80.2) also excels, providing a well-rounded livability package.
Income potential remains modest
With an income score of 34.0 and median household income of $77,500, Red Lake County shows moderate earning potential. While incomes are respectable, they trail some wealthier Minnesota regions.
Ideal for cost-conscious wealth builders
Red Lake County appeals to families and retirees who value affordability and economic security over high incomes. The exceptional combination of low costs and maximum risk resilience makes it perfect for those seeking financial stability and rural peace.
Score breakdown
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🏛75.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Red Lake County's 0.959% effective tax rate runs virtually even with the national median of 0.968%, offering balanced affordability. The median home value of $157,200 sits 44% below the US median, making this an economical county for both purchase and annual taxes.
Slightly below Minnesota average
At 0.959%, Red Lake County's effective tax rate sits just below the state average of 0.968%, placing it squarely in the middle range among Minnesota's 87 counties. This makes it a moderate-tax option for property owners statewide.
Comparable to nearby northern counties
Red Lake County at 0.959% aligns closely with nearby Pennington County at 0.959% and Beltrami County. The county's lower median home values help offset the region's tax rates, keeping overall burdens reasonable.
About $1,508 on median home value
The median home in Red Lake County valued at $157,200 generates approximately $1,508 in annual property taxes at the 0.959% effective rate. This is 30% below the state median of $2,168, reflecting the county's modest home values and reasonable tax rate.
Check if you're overassessed
Red Lake County homeowners should periodically review their property assessments to ensure they align with fair market value. An appeal can provide meaningful savings, particularly if home values have declined or improvements weren't properly credited.
Red Lake County's rent-to-income ratio of 9.7% is exceptionally low—nearly 5 percentage points below the national average of 14.5%—making it one of the nation's most affordable rental markets. With median household income of $77,500 and median rent of just $628, housing remains a minor budget item.
Minnesota's rental affordability champion
Red Lake County's 9.7% rent-to-income ratio crushes Minnesota's 14.5% state average by a decisive margin. The $628 median rent is 31% cheaper than the state median of $915.
Unmatched affordability across all metrics
Red Lake's $628 rent is the lowest among all eight counties—$103 cheaper than Pipestone's second-place $731. Similarly, owner costs of $901 beat most peers, rivaling Pipestone for overall housing affordability.
Housing costs shrink to minimal burden
At $77,500 median income, Red Lake renters spend just 9.7% ($628 monthly) on housing, leaving maximum budget flexibility. Homeowners allocate 14.0% ($901), making ownership nearly as accessible as renting—a rare combination.
Red Lake: housing affordability perfected
Red Lake County offers the nation's most favorable rent-to-income ratio at 9.7%—exceptional value for any relocation. If housing costs drive your move, Red Lake's $628 rent and $901 owner costs deliver unmatched affordability in Minnesota.
Red Lake County's median household income of $77,500 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by 3.7%, positioning it above average. The county ranks in the upper-middle segment of U.S. income distribution.
Above-Average Earner for Minnesota
Red Lake County's $77,500 median income surpasses Minnesota's state average of $75,757 by roughly $1,700. The county ranks among the stronger-earning communities statewide despite its rural location.
Regional Income Leader
Red Lake's $77,500 outpaces all nearby rural counties, exceeding Pennington ($72,561), Polk ($69,136), Pine ($69,666), and Pipestone ($66,073). Only Ramsey County ($81,004) surpasses Red Lake in the broader region.
Exceptional Housing Affordability
Red Lake County's 9.7% rent-to-income ratio is the lowest across all eight counties, reflecting the best housing affordability in the region. With modest median home values of $157,200, residents enjoy significant financial flexibility.
Build Wealth on Solid Ground
Red Lake County households benefit from above-average income combined with the region's lowest housing burden, creating optimal conditions for savings. Directing 20% or more of earnings to investments can generate meaningful long-term wealth.
Red Lake County residents live to 81.2 years on average—3.2 years longer than the U.S. median of 76.4 years and 2.5 years above Minnesota's state average of 78.7 years. Despite this exceptional life expectancy, 15.5% report poor or fair health, suggesting concentrated health challenges within the population.
Minnesota's longest-living county
Red Lake County ranks first in Minnesota for life expectancy, with a 2.5-year advantage over the state average. This outlier status reflects unique population characteristics and deserves further investigation into protective health factors.
Provider data limited, access unclear
Complete data on primary care and mental health provider availability is not currently available for Red Lake County. This gap makes it difficult to assess whether strong life expectancy reflects abundant local providers or other community factors.
Low uninsured rate despite data gaps
At 5.4% uninsured, Red Lake County is below the state average of 6.0%, meaning most residents have health coverage. Without provider utilization data, it's unclear how coverage translates into actual healthcare access for residents.
Maintain coverage in your community
Red Lake County's strong health indicators include high insurance coverage rates—maintain that advantage by keeping your family insured. Contact MNsure.org or your county health department to explore coverage options and sustain the county's exceptional health outcomes.
Red Lake County ranks among America's safest places
Red Lake County scores just 2.16 on the composite risk scale, placing it at the absolute bottom of U.S. natural disaster exposure and earning a "Very Low" rating. This exceptionally protective score reflects minimal flood risk (8.24), negligible earthquake threat (0.38), and low tornado exposure (8.59). Red Lake County represents one of the safest natural hazard zones in the entire United States.
Red Lake County is Minnesota's safest
Red Lake County's composite score of 2.16 ranks as Minnesota's lowest across all 87 counties, placing it dramatically below the state average of 42.38. Every hazard category remains at the absolute bottom of statewide exposure, with flood risk at 8.24 and tornado risk at 8.59 reflecting the county's minimal geographic vulnerabilities. Red Lake County offers residents genuinely exceptional protection from natural disasters.
Red Lake County's advantage far exceeds surrounding areas
Red Lake County's score of 2.16 is dramatically lower than every neighboring county, including Polk County to the east (67.05) and Pennington County to the south (46.98). This exceptional disparity reflects Red Lake's remote location, sparse population, and landscape characteristics that eliminate most hazard exposures. The comparison underscores Red Lake's position as Minnesota's single safest county from a natural disaster perspective.
Red Lake County faces minimal natural hazard exposure
Wildfire risk is the only category of meaningful concern at 48.76, reflecting the county's boreal forest coverage, though this remains moderate compared to Minnesota's most fire-prone areas. Flood risk (8.24) and tornado risk (8.59) are negligible—among the state's absolute lowest—thanks to Red Lake's sparse development and geographic position. Earthquake risk is essentially zero at 0.38.
Basic coverage suffices in Red Lake County
A standard homeowners insurance policy provides adequate protection given Red Lake County's minimal overall disaster exposure—focus on ensuring coverage reflects your home's current replacement cost. Maintain basic wildfire preparedness by keeping gutters clear and removing dead vegetation within 50 feet of structures, though fire risk remains low. Review your policy every three to five years to ensure coverage remains aligned with property value and any improvements made.