countyscore
57.4
County Score
Water Quality 86Soil Quality 80Health 67.9

County Report Card

About Renville County, Minnesota

A Strong Performer in the Heartland

Renville County earns a solid composite score of 57.4, placing it well above the national median of 50.0. This score reflects a balanced quality of life that exceeds many rural peers across the country.

Leading the Minnesota Average

With a 57.4 composite score, Renville outperforms the Minnesota state average of 55.8. It remains a competitive choice for residents seeking a high standard of living within the state's agricultural corridor.

Superior Water and School Quality

Renville excels in environmental and educational metrics, highlighted by an impressive 86.0 Water Score and a 67.8 School Score. The county also offers great value with a median gross rent of just $760 per month.

Tax and Safety Considerations

The county faces a relatively high tax burden, reflected in a Tax Score of 36.9 and an effective tax rate of 1.016%. Its Safety Score of 50.0 aligns exactly with the national median, suggesting room for improvement compared to top-tier neighbors.

Ideal for Budget-Conscious Families

This county is a perfect match for families prioritizing affordable homeownership, where median values sit at $151,900. High scores in health and education make it an attractive alternative to more expensive suburban centers.

Score breakdown

Tax36.9Cost59.5Safety50Health67.9Schools67.8Income64.5Risk61.6Water86Weather44.9
🏛36.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠59.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼64.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡50
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤67.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓67.8
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡61.6
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧86
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤44.9
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨80
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱65.1
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Deep Dives

Renville County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Renville County

via TaxByCounty

Renville's tax rate beats national average

Renville County's effective property tax rate of 1.016% sits comfortably above the national median rate, placing it in the higher tier nationally. The median property tax here is $1,543 annually—well below the national median of $2,690—because homes are smaller and more affordable than the U.S. average.

Slightly above Minnesota's average tax load

Renville's 1.016% effective rate edges out Minnesota's statewide average of 0.968%, ranking it in the middle-to-upper portion of the state's 87 counties. Median taxes of $1,543 run 29% below Minnesota's state average of $2,168, reflecting the county's rural character and lower home values.

Higher rates than nearby Sibley County

Renville's 1.016% rate is lower than Sibley County's 1.099% but slightly higher than nearby Roseau County's 0.928%. The county clusters with mid-range property tax burden across southern Minnesota's rural region.

Typical Renville homeowner pays $1,543 yearly

The median home in Renville County is valued at $151,900; at the county's effective tax rate of 1.016%, that translates to approximately $1,543 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, the number climbs slightly to $1,649 due to escrow practices.

Your Renville home may be overassessed

Many property owners across Minnesota—including Renville County—are paying taxes on overassessed valuations. If your property tax seems high relative to recent sales in your neighborhood, consider filing a formal assessment appeal with your county assessor's office.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Renville County

via CostByCounty

Renville Beats National Affordability

Renville County residents spend just 13.2% of their income on rent, well below the national average and meaningfully better than the 14.5% state benchmark. At $760 per month, median rent here is substantially lower than Minnesota's $915 state average, even as median household income sits at $69,086—slightly below the national median of $74,755.

Among Minnesota's Most Affordable

Renville County ranks among the state's most affordable counties for renters, with a rent-to-income ratio that undercuts Minnesota's average by 1.3 percentage points. This positioning reflects both modest rental costs and a working-class income base that stretches housing dollars further than many urban and suburban peers.

Southwest Minnesota's Sweet Spot

Renville's $760 rent is competitive with nearby Rock County ($745) and undercuts Sibley County ($858) and Roseau County ($886). Neighboring communities offer similar affordability profiles, making this region a collective refuge for budget-conscious renters in greater Minnesota.

Rent and Ownership Costs Aligned

Renters spend $760 monthly while homeowners carry $863 in costs, a narrow gap reflecting modest home values of $151,900. Together, these housing expenses claim roughly 13% of household income, leaving room for other living costs in a county where the median household earns $69,086 annually.

Consider Renville for Rural Comfort

If you're priced out of Minnesota's metro corridors, Renville County delivers genuine affordability without sacrificing rural amenities. Compare its 13.2% rent-to-income ratio to costlier neighbors like Rice County (15.2%) or St. Louis County (16.8%), and you'll see why rural Minnesota still offers breathing room for working families.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Renville County

via IncomeByCounty

Renville trails national income average

Renville County's median household income of $69,086 falls about 7.6% below the national median of $74,755. While this gap is modest, it reflects the county's rural character compared to more prosperous metropolitan areas nationwide.

Below-average earners in Minnesota

At $69,086, Renville County ranks below Minnesota's state average of $75,757, placing it in the lower half of the state's 87 counties. The county's per capita income of $36,131 also trails the state average of $39,335.

Modest means among rural peers

Renville's $69,086 median income sits slightly below Rock County ($70,698) and Roseau County ($73,611), yet above St. Louis County ($69,455). Among its rural neighbors, Renville represents steady but unremarkable earning power.

Housing remains affordable here

With a rent-to-income ratio of 13.2%, Renville County residents spend a manageable portion of earnings on housing costs—well below the national benchmark of 15%. The median home value of $151,900 is notably affordable for the county's income levels.

Build financial security affordably

Renville's lower housing costs create opportunity: residents spending just 13.2% on rent have room in their budgets for retirement savings and investments. Starting even modest contributions to an IRA or 401(k) compounds over decades into meaningful wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Renville County

via CrimeByCounty

Renville County's Safe National Profile

Renville's total crime rate of 1,128.7 per 100K is less than half the national average of 2,385.5. This earns the county an impressive safety score of 98.2 out of 100.

Matching the Minnesota Average

The county aligns perfectly with the state average safety score of 98.2. While the total crime rate sits near the Minnesota average of 1,123.5 per 100K, violent crime is slightly higher than the state mean.

Comparing Renville to Local Neighbors

Renville reports a higher crime rate than nearby Sibley County, which sits at just 280.9 per 100K. Six different reporting agencies contribute to this data, providing a comprehensive view of local safety.

Property Crime vs. Violent Crime

Property crime dominates the landscape at 924.7 per 100K, though this remains well below the national mark of 2,015.7. Violent crime accounts for 204.0 incidents per 100K residents.

Securing Your Renville Home

While local crime rates are low, staying vigilant with home security protects your property from theft. Consider basic upgrades like motion-activated lighting to deter property crimes.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Renville County

via HealthByCounty

Renville's life expectancy trails nation

At 77.8 years, Renville County residents live about 2.5 years less than the U.S. average of 80.3 years. The county's 16.7% poor or fair health rating exceeds the national average of 15%, signaling health challenges that deserve attention. These gaps suggest opportunities for targeted health improvement initiatives.

Below average among Minnesota counties

Renville's 77.8-year life expectancy sits 0.9 years below Minnesota's state average of 78.7 years, placing it in the lower tier of state county rankings. The 8.4% uninsured rate significantly exceeds the state's 6.0% average, indicating affordability barriers for coverage. This combination reflects structural health access challenges within the county.

Renville struggles versus nearby counties

Renville's 77.8-year life expectancy lags peers like Sibley County (80.4 years) and Sherburne County (79.4 years) by meaningful margins. With only 27 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—less than half the rate in Rock County (93 per 100K)—Renville faces a provider shortage. The mental health provider gap is even starker: Renville has 28 per 100K versus Rice County's 212 per 100K.

Healthcare access and affordability strain residents

Renville's 8.4% uninsured rate means roughly 1 in 12 residents lack health coverage—the highest uninsured rate among comparison counties. With just 27 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, residents often travel considerable distances for routine care. The shortage of mental health providers (28 per 100K) compounds barriers to comprehensive healthcare.

Explore health insurance options now

If you're uninsured or underinsured, Minnesota's insurance marketplace and Medicaid programs offer pathways to coverage. Visit MNsure.org to check eligibility for subsidized plans or free coverage options available this open enrollment period. Local community health centers can also help you navigate coverage options and connect to care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Renville County

via SchoolsByCounty

A Small-Scale, Rural Education Network

Renville County maintains a compact education infrastructure consisting of 9 public schools across 4 districts. The system serves 1,865 students through 4 elementary, 1 middle, and 4 high schools. This focused network ensures that all students are educated in a rural setting, according to federal locale data.

High Graduation Rates With Efficient Spending

The county boasts a 93.9% graduation rate, significantly exceeding the Minnesota state average of 86.6% and the national benchmark of 87.0%. Educators achieve these results with a per-pupil expenditure of $7,622, which is lower than the state's $8,463 average. The county's school score of 56.9 remains above the state and national medians.

Spotlight on BOLD and Local Districts

The Bird Island-Olivia-Lake Lillian (BOLD) district is the county's largest, managing 4 schools and 623 students. Other key providers include the Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart and Cedar Mountain districts, which serve 468 and 439 students respectively. Notably, there are no charter schools currently operating within the county.

Intimate Classrooms in a Rural Setting

With an average school size of just 233 students, education here feels personal and community-oriented. Renville County West Elementary is the largest facility with 350 students, while BOLD Senior High is among the smaller options with 224 students. Every school in the county is classified as rural, reflecting the area's agricultural heart.

Establish Roots Near Top-Performing Schools

Families looking for high graduation rates and small class sizes should consider the quiet communities of Olivia or Renville. The local housing market offers access to districts that consistently outperform state academic benchmarks. Explore homes in Renville County to give your children the benefit of a tight-knit educational environment.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Renville County

via RiskByCounty

Renville ranks very low nationally

With a composite risk score of 38.45, Renville County sits well below the national average and carries a Very Low risk rating overall. This means residents face fewer natural disaster threats than most Americans, though localized hazards still warrant attention.

Below average risk for Minnesota

Renville's score of 38.45 beats Minnesota's state average of 42.38, placing it among the safer counties in the state. The county's Very Low rating reflects lower exposure to most hazard types compared to its neighbors.

Safer than nearby Rice and Scott

Renville's risk profile is noticeably lower than adjacent Rice County (75.45) and Scott County (76.56), both rated Relatively Low. However, neighboring Sibley County (22.96) carries slightly less overall risk, making Renville a middle ground in the region.

Tornadoes pose the greatest threat

Tornadoes represent Renville's highest risk at 51.53, well above its other hazards—nearly 3 times higher than wildfire risk (15.43). Flooding comes in second at 39.44, making severe weather preparedness the county's top priority.

Secure wind and flood coverage

Renville residents should prioritize homeowners insurance that explicitly covers tornado and wind damage, since standard policies often exclude these perils. Consider supplemental flood insurance as well, particularly if you live near drainage areas or have a basement.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Renville County

via WeatherByCounty

Moderate Precipitation, Cold Air

Renville County averages 43.1°F, which is about 11 degrees cooler than the national median of 54°F. It receives 27.9 inches of annual precipitation, typical for a continental interior.

Representative of Minnesota Weather

Renville's 43.1°F average temperature is nearly identical to the Minnesota state average of 42.8°F. It is slightly drier than the state average of 30.0 inches of precipitation.

Less Snow Than Northern Neighbors

The county receives 37.7 inches of snow, which is nearly 10 inches less than Pope County. It is also slightly cooler than neighboring Redwood County.

Balanced Seasonal Extremes

July averages 70.5°F with 10 days of extreme heat over 90°F. January is cold at 11.7°F, contributing to a winter average of 15.2°F.

Standard Minnesota Maintenance

A medium-duty snow blower is sufficient for the 37.7 inches of annual snow. Residents should plan for 10 days of 90°F weather with efficient cooling options.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Renville County

via SoilByCounty

Slightly Alkaline Soils in Renville

Renville County features a soil pH of 6.88, which is slightly higher than the national median of 6.5. This profile is also more alkaline than the Minnesota state average of 6.21. While taxonomic data is limited here, the pH level supports a diverse range of agricultural crops.

A Silt-Heavy Foundation

The soil composition consists of 41.4% silt, 30.9% sand, and 25.3% clay. This mix creates a medium-textured soil that offers a stable base for farming machinery. The balance of particles helps maintain soil structure while providing adequate space for root development.

Robust Organic Matter Levels

Organic matter reaches a healthy 7.62%, nearly quadrupling the national average of 2.0%. With an available water capacity of 0.204 in/in, the soil holds more moisture than the state average of 0.199. These factors combine to create high growing potential for local producers.

Strong Soil Performance Score

Renville earns a soil score of 80.0, significantly outperforming the state average of 73.0. Although specific drainage classes are not recorded in this dataset, the high silt content suggests a need to monitor for surface crusting. Growers benefit from the soil's natural ability to retain essential nutrients.

Thriving in Zone 4b

Situated in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b, this county is ideal for corn, soybeans, and hardy root vegetables. The fertile soil provides a perfect starting point for any backyard garden. Dig in today to take advantage of these high-performing Minnesota soils.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Renville County

via LawnByCounty

Renville County Lawns Outperform the National Average

With a lawn difficulty score of 65.1, Renville County residents find grass maintenance slightly easier than the state average of 63.9. This Zone 4b region beats the national median score of 50.0, suggesting a favorable environment for turf. You can expect a steady growing season despite the cold winters.

Moderate Heat and Summer Growing Windows

The county receives 27.9 inches of annual precipitation, which sits just below the ideal 30-inch threshold. Plants enjoy 2,403 growing degree days, though 10 extreme heat days each year require extra vigilance. You should monitor soil moisture closely when temperatures climb above 90 degrees.

Neutral Soils Provide a Solid Foundation

The local soil pH of 6.88 is nearly perfect for standard turfgrass, falling right in the 6.0 to 7.0 ideal range. With 25.3% clay and 30.9% sand, the soil offers a balanced texture for root stability. This composition generally requires fewer chemical adjustments than more acidic regions.

Managing Dry Spells in Renville

Renville County faced 10 weeks of drought over the past year, with 43.0% of the area currently categorized as abnormally dry. To preserve your lawn, focus on deep, infrequent watering during these dry stretches. Promoting deep root growth now helps your grass survive the next dry cycle.

Start Your Renville Lawn This Spring

Kentucky Bluegrass and Fine Fescue thrive in this Zone 4b climate. Aim to seed after the last frost on May 6 or during the early fall window before October 1. These dates provide the best temperature balance for seed germination and establishment.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Renville County's county score?
Renville County, Minnesota has a composite county score of 57.4 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 Renville County rank among counties in Minnesota?
Renville County ranks #37 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 Renville County, Minnesota?
The median annual property tax in Renville County is $1,543, with an effective tax rate of 1.02%. This earns Renville County a tax score of 36.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Renville County?
The median household income in Renville County, Minnesota is $69,086 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Renville County earns an income score of 64.5/100 on CountyScore.
Is Renville County, Minnesota a good place to live?
Renville County scores 57.4/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #37 in Minnesota. The best way to evaluate Renville 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 Renville County with other counties side by side.

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Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.