countyscore
73.3
County Score
Disaster Risk 97.9Soil Quality 91.8Safety 90

County Report Card

About Red Lake County, Minnesota

Dominating the National Rankings

Red Lake County is a standout performer with a composite score of 73.1, crushing the national median of 50.0. This puts it among the most livable counties in the entire country.

Leading the Way in Minnesota

At 73.1, the county sits nearly 18 points above the Minnesota state average of 55.8. It represents the gold standard for quality of life within the state's borders.

Elite Safety and Economic Security

The county posts a nearly perfect risk score of 97.9 and an elite safety score of 90.0. These are paired with a high income score of 80.9, making it both safe and prosperous.

Tax and Education Trade-offs

The tax score of 41.1 is the county's relative weak point, indicating a moderate tax burden for residents. Additionally, the school score of 67.4, while good, is the lowest among its stellar dimensions.

An All-Around Livability Champion

This county is perfect for almost anyone, especially families and high earners seeking ultimate peace of mind. It combines low rents of $628 with high incomes and world-class safety.

2040608010035.673.79088.967.477.197.98647.1Tax35.6Cost73.7Safety90Health88.9Schools67.4Income77.1Risk97.9Water86Weather47.173.3/100
This county
National avg
7 above average1 below average

Red Lake County DNA

C+overall

How Red Lake County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Red Lake County scores above average across most dimensions. It's a well-balanced county with particular strength in Disaster Risk (97.9/100).

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
35.6-16.4
Cost
73.7+25.700000000000003
Safety
90+35
Health
88.9+38.900000000000006
Schools
67.4+13.400000000000006
Income
77.1+26.099999999999994
Risk
97.9+50.900000000000006
Water
86+28
Weather
47.1-8.899999999999999
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Red Lake County?

Many homeowners in Red Lake 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

$162,000

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$583/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$162,000/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$23,320/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.1x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $77,188/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

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

Monroe County
West Virginia
Median income: $56,750
73.1
Dundy County
Nebraska
Median income: $58,922
73
Treasure County
Montana
Median income: $67,917
72.9
Oliver County
North Dakota
Median income: $77,240
72.9
McCone County
Montana
Median income: $69,375
73.7
Steele County
North Dakota
Median income: $77,500
72.8
Buffalo County
South Dakota
Median income: $47,045
72.8
Rich County
Utah
Median income: $79,009
73.8

Nearby counties

Pennington County
Minnesota
44.7
Polk County
Minnesota
50.9
Clearwater County
Minnesota
65.8
Mahnomen County
Minnesota
47.5
Norman County
Minnesota
68.8
Marshall County
Minnesota
69.9
Beltrami County
Minnesota
36
Traill County
North Dakota
64.8

Deep Dives

Red Lake County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Red Lake County

via TaxByCounty

Red Lake tax rate near national norm

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.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Red Lake County

via IncomeByCounty

Red Lake Meets National Income Standard

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.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Red Lake County

via CrimeByCounty

Red Lake County: Peak National Safety

Red Lake County holds an impressive safety score of 99.7, among the highest in the nation. Its total crime rate of 204.4 per 100K is over ten times lower than the national average.

Minnesota's Safety Benchmark

With a safety score of 99.7, Red Lake County significantly outperforms the Minnesota average of 98.2. While only one agency reports data, the figures indicate an exceptionally quiet and safe jurisdiction.

Red Lake Leads the Region

Red Lake's crime rate of 204.4 per 100K is the lowest among its neighbors, including Pennington at 1,793.5. This makes it a regional standout for those prioritizing a low-crime environment.

Analyzing the Crime Breakdown

Crime is split evenly between violent and property offenses, both at a very low 102.2 per 100K. These numbers represent a tiny fraction of the crime levels seen in most American counties.

Protecting a High Standard of Safety

Maintaining the county's safety requires continued collaboration between neighbors and law enforcement. Even in the safest areas, staying alert helps preserve the community's unique security.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Red Lake County

via WeatherByCounty

A True Northern Frontier

Red Lake County’s 39.8°F average temperature is one of the lowest in the nation, far below the 54°F median. It experiences a dry continental climate with only 24.3 inches of annual precipitation.

Colder Than the State Mean

The county is notably colder than the 42.8°F Minnesota state average. This reflects the harsh winters found in the northwestern part of the state.

Heavy Snowfall for the Region

Red Lake averages 49.9 inches of snow, significantly more than the 39.6 inches found in Pipestone. Its 39.8°F annual temperature is almost identical to neighboring Polk County.

Intense Snow and Cold

Winters are dominated by 49.9 inches of snow and a January average of just 6.0°F. Summers are short and mild, with only 5 days per year reaching 90°F.

Serious Winter Gear Required

Residents should invest in high-capacity snow removal equipment for the nearly 50 inches of snowfall. Home heating systems must be reliable to withstand the 9.8°F average winter temperature.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Red Lake County

via SoilByCounty

Red Lake's Elite Agricultural Soil

Red Lake County features one of the highest soil scores in the state at 91.8, far surpassing the Minnesota average of 73.0. The soil is nearly neutral with a pH of 6.63, which is very close to the national median. This makes the county a premier location for diverse biological and agricultural activity.

A Light, Productive Sand-Silt Blend

The soil composition is 47.2% sand, 36.0% silt, and 14.3% clay. This light texture allows for exceptional root penetration and easy tillage for farmers and gardeners. It strikes a great balance between drainage and structural support.

Rich in Organic Matter and Moisture

The county boasts an organic matter content of 17.37%, nearly double the state average of 9.90%. Available water capacity is also superior at 0.210 in/in, providing a significant buffer against dry weather. This high fertility is a cornerstone of the county's agricultural success.

High-Capacity Water Management

The combination of high sand content and high organic matter creates a soil that is both permeable and absorbent. While official drainage classes are not listed, this mix typically handles heavy rains well while keeping moisture accessible to plants. It is a highly resilient soil type for all land uses.

High Yields in a Cold Climate

Sitting in Hardiness Zone 3b, Red Lake requires cold-adapted species, but its 91.8 soil score ensures those plants thrive. It is an ideal spot for high-yield cool-season crops and robust home gardens. Don't let the northern winters fool you; this is some of the best soil in the country.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Red Lake County

via LawnByCounty

Northern Success in Red Lake

Red Lake County earns a 66.9 lawn difficulty score, proving that northern Minnesota can be a great place for grass. This Zone 3b county is easier to manage than the state average, despite the harsh winters.

Dry Air and Pleasant Summers

Annual precipitation is low at 24.3 inches, which is well below the ideal range for turf. However, with only 5 extreme heat days, your grass won't have to fight the high-temperature stress found in southern Minnesota.

Solid Soil Texture and pH

The soil pH of 6.63 is excellent for most grass types and requires very little intervention. A composition of 47.2% sand and 14.3% clay creates a loamy environment that allows for decent drainage and root expansion.

Watch for Dry Conditions

With 85.6% of the county currently abnormally dry and 7 weeks of drought last year, supplemental irrigation is necessary. Focus on watering in the early morning to minimize evaporation in this low-precipitation climate.

Maximize the Northern Window

The frost-free window between May 9 and September 30 is your primary time for lawn care. Choose ultra-hardy Zone 3b varieties like Fine Fescue to ensure your lawn survives the January average of 6.0 degrees.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Red Lake County's county score?
Red Lake County, Minnesota has a composite county score of 73.3 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 Red Lake County rank among counties in Minnesota?
Red Lake County ranks #3 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 Red Lake County, Minnesota?
The median annual property tax in Red Lake County is $1,622, with an effective tax rate of 1.00%. This earns Red Lake County a tax score of 35.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Red Lake County?
The median household income in Red Lake County, Minnesota is $77,188 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Red Lake County earns an income score of 77.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is Red Lake County, Minnesota a good place to live?
Red Lake County scores 73.3/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #3 in Minnesota. The best way to evaluate Red Lake 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 Red Lake 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.