Renville County scores 71.5 out of 100 on the CountyScore composite index, significantly outpacing the national median of 50.0—placing it in the top 43rd percentile nationally. This means the county offers livability substantially better than most American counties.
2 / 5
Slightly Above Minnesota Average
At 71.5, Renville County ranks just above Minnesota's state average composite score of 70.9. The county holds its own among the state's 87 counties, performing solidly but without standing out as a top performer.
3 / 5
Affordability and Low Taxes Lead
Renville County excels in housing affordability and tax burden, with a Cost Score of 81.7 and median home values at just $151,900. The county's effective tax rate of 1.016% and Health Score of 73.5 further support its appeal to budget-conscious families seeking stability.
4 / 5
Income and Risk Profile Lag
The county's Income Score of 28.5 reflects a median household income of $69,086, considerably below state and national averages. A Risk Score of 61.6 suggests moderate exposure to economic or environmental challenges that warrant attention.
5 / 5
Best for Budget-Focused Families
Renville County suits families and retirees prioritizing affordable housing, low taxes, and stable health outcomes over higher wage opportunities. It's an ideal fit for those seeking rural Minnesota living without the premium price tags of more prosperous counties.
Renville County scores 71.5 out of 100 on the CountyScore composite index, significantly outpacing the national median of 50.0—placing it in the top 43rd percentile nationally. This means the county offers livability substantially better than most American counties.
Slightly Above Minnesota Average
At 71.5, Renville County ranks just above Minnesota's state average composite score of 70.9. The county holds its own among the state's 87 counties, performing solidly but without standing out as a top performer.
Affordability and Low Taxes Lead
Renville County excels in housing affordability and tax burden, with a Cost Score of 81.7 and median home values at just $151,900. The county's effective tax rate of 1.016% and Health Score of 73.5 further support its appeal to budget-conscious families seeking stability.
Income and Risk Profile Lag
The county's Income Score of 28.5 reflects a median household income of $69,086, considerably below state and national averages. A Risk Score of 61.6 suggests moderate exposure to economic or environmental challenges that warrant attention.
Best for Budget-Focused Families
Renville County suits families and retirees prioritizing affordable housing, low taxes, and stable health outcomes over higher wage opportunities. It's an ideal fit for those seeking rural Minnesota living without the premium price tags of more prosperous counties.
Score breakdown
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🏛73.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.