Redwood County's composite score of 73.6 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 23.6 points, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. counties. This reflects notably superior livability compared to the typical American county.
2 / 5
Outperforms Minnesota's state average
At 73.6, Redwood County surpasses Minnesota's average of 70.9, ranking it in the upper tier among all 87 state counties. It is a strong performer relative to its state peers.
3 / 5
Affordability and tax efficiency lead
Redwood County excels in cost (82.8) with exceptional housing affordability—median home value of $150,400 and rent of $767/month. The low effective tax rate of 0.960% and strong health score (78.0) round out a solid value proposition.
4 / 5
Income potential is the main concern
Redwood County's income score of 27.1 is among the lowest in this cohort, with median household income of $67,024. This limits wealth-building opportunities despite excellent affordability elsewhere.
5 / 5
Perfect for frugal, health-conscious residents
Redwood County suits retirees, families on tight budgets, and anyone prioritizing low housing costs and good healthcare over career advancement. It's an excellent match for residents seeking rural affordability with solid community health outcomes.
Redwood County's composite score of 73.6 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 23.6 points, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. counties. This reflects notably superior livability compared to the typical American county.
Outperforms Minnesota's state average
At 73.6, Redwood County surpasses Minnesota's average of 70.9, ranking it in the upper tier among all 87 state counties. It is a strong performer relative to its state peers.
Affordability and tax efficiency lead
Redwood County excels in cost (82.8) with exceptional housing affordability—median home value of $150,400 and rent of $767/month. The low effective tax rate of 0.960% and strong health score (78.0) round out a solid value proposition.
Income potential is the main concern
Redwood County's income score of 27.1 is among the lowest in this cohort, with median household income of $67,024. This limits wealth-building opportunities despite excellent affordability elsewhere.
Perfect for frugal, health-conscious residents
Redwood County suits retirees, families on tight budgets, and anyone prioritizing low housing costs and good healthcare over career advancement. It's an excellent match for residents seeking rural affordability with solid community health outcomes.
Score breakdown
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🏛75.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Redwood County's 0.960% effective tax rate tracks nearly even with the national median of 0.968%, offering reasonable affordability. The median home value of $150,400 runs 47% below the US median, making this one of the nation's more economical counties.
Near Minnesota's state average rate
At 0.960%, Redwood County's effective tax rate essentially mirrors Minnesota's state average of 0.968%, placing it in the middle of the state's 87 counties. This makes it a representative option for property taxation across the state.
Competitive rates in the region
Redwood County's 0.960% rate compares closely to Red Lake County at 0.959% and sits lower than Pipestone County at 0.911%. Among southwest Minnesota counties, Redwood offers middle-ground tax rates and notably affordable home prices.
Modest $1,444 annual property tax
The median home in Redwood County valued at $150,400 generates approximately $1,444 in annual property taxes at the 0.960% effective rate. This is 33% below the state median of $2,168, reflecting the county's low median home values and moderate tax rate.
Review assessments regularly
Even in low-tax counties, property assessments can drift away from market reality over time. Redwood County homeowners should verify their assessed values are accurate and appeal if they believe their home is overvalued.
Redwood County's rent-to-income ratio of 13.7% falls below the national average of 14.5%, delivering above-average housing affordability. With a median household income of $67,024 and median rent of $767, renters keep costs lean despite the county's modest income base.
Better than Minnesota's rental affordability average
Redwood County's 13.7% rent-to-income ratio undercuts Minnesota's 14.5% state average, ranking among the state's most affordable markets. The median rent of $767 trails the state median of $915 by $148.
Second-cheapest rents; lowest owner costs
Redwood's $767 rent trails only Pipestone's $731, offering exceptional value for renters. Owner costs of $784 monthly match Pipestone's and beat all peers, making Redwood attractive for both renters and homebuyers.
Housing leaves maximum budget flexibility
On a $67,024 median income, Redwood renters allocate 13.7% ($767) to housing, among the lowest ratios statewide. Homeowners spend 14.0% ($784), making both renting and owning exceptionally affordable relative to income.
Redwood delivers rural affordability excellence
Redwood County combines rural affordability with balanced income, offering strong value for relocating families. At $767 rent and $784 owner costs, Redwood rivals Red Lake and Pipestone for the state's best housing affordability.
Redwood County's median household income of $67,024 falls 10.4% short of the national median of $74,755. The county ranks in the lower third of U.S. income distribution, typical of rural agricultural regions.
Lower-Income County in Minnesota
Redwood County's $67,024 median income ranks well below Minnesota's state average of $75,757, representing one of the state's less affluent counties. The $8,700 gap reflects economic pressures in southwestern Minnesota.
Near Bottom of Regional Ranking
Redwood's $67,024 is among the lowest in the region, exceeding only Pipestone County ($66,073). The county significantly lags wealthier peers like Ramsey ($81,004) and Red Lake ($77,500).
Affordable Housing Provides Relief
Redwood County's 13.7% rent-to-income ratio shows modest housing costs relative to income, with a median home value of just $150,400. Lower housing burdens help stretch limited household earnings.
Smart Saving on Modest Income
Redwood County households earning $67,024 can build wealth through disciplined savings despite income constraints. Prioritizing emergency funds, low-cost index funds, and employer retirement benefits creates a foundation for long-term security.
Redwood County residents live to 79.1 years on average, 2.7 years longer than the U.S. median of 76.4 years and 0.4 years above Minnesota's state average of 78.7 years. With 14.5% reporting poor or fair health, Redwood is healthier than both the national average of 16.1% and most Minnesota counties.
Top-tier health outcomes in Minnesota
Redwood County ranks in Minnesota's upper tier for life expectancy, exceeding the state average by 0.4 years. The 14.5% poor/fair health rate is better than most Minnesota counties, placing Redwood among the state's healthiest.
Solid primary care, limited mental health
Redwood County has 46 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, below state medians but adequate for its rural population. Mental health providers are notably scarce at 52 per 100K—less than one-fifth the state average—creating a significant gap in behavioral health.
Strong coverage, behavioral health barrier
At 6.8% uninsured, Redwood County matches higher-risk peers, but good life expectancy suggests most residents maintain coverage. The acute shortage of mental health providers means many who are covered still struggle to access counseling and psychiatric care.
Insurance alone isn't enough here
Redwood County's strong physical health masks a critical gap: severe mental health provider shortages. Apply for coverage at MNsure.org, and advocate for expanded behavioral health services in your community—both insured and uninsured residents need them.
Redwood County's risk moderately exceeds U.S. baseline
Redwood County scores 35.05 on the composite risk scale, placing it modestly above the national average and earning a "Very Low" risk rating. This moderate exposure reflects a balanced hazard profile with flood (39.28) and tornado (39.34) risks that slightly exceed typical American levels. Redwood County presents manageable risk that benefits from focused preparation rather than heightened alarm.
Redwood ranks below Minnesota's state average
Redwood County's composite score of 35.05 falls modestly below Minnesota's state average of 42.38, placing it slightly safer than the typical Minnesota county. Flood risk (39.28) and tornado risk (39.34) both track near or slightly below state medians, reflecting Redwood's southwestern location and mixed landscape. This positioning makes Redwood one of the safer Minnesota counties while still maintaining moderate hazard exposure.
Redwood occupies favorable middle-safe position regionally
Redwood County's score of 35.05 ranks lower than Polk County to the north (67.05) and Pennington County to the northeast (46.98), but higher than Pipestone County to the south (14.73). This middle positioning reflects Redwood's transition landscape between prairie and woodland that creates moderate rather than extreme hazard exposure. The regional comparison shows Redwood's relatively protective geographic advantage.
Tornado and flood pose Redwood's primary concerns
Tornado risk reaches 39.34, reflecting Redwood County's southwestern position where spring and early summer storms can develop and intensify across relatively open terrain. Flood risk scores 39.28, driven by the Minnesota River and Cottonwood River systems that drain the county and periodically overflow during heavy spring snowmelt and summer rainfall. Wildfire risk remains low at 18.61 thanks to limited forest coverage across the mostly agricultural county.
Prepare for floods and tornadoes in Redwood County
Establish a tornado safety plan with a designated safe room or basement, and practice it seasonally given Redwood County's tornado exposure. Obtain a flood insurance policy if your home is in a mapped flood zone or near either the Minnesota or Cottonwood Rivers—standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. Review your insurance coverage annually and after any major home improvements to ensure protection remains adequate.