CountyScore

Rock County

Minnesota · MN

#5 in Minnesota
77.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Rock County, Minnesota

Top-Tier National Livability

Rock County's composite score of 77.2 ranks well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 54th percentile nationally. The county is among the most livable in the United States.

Clear Minnesota Leader

At 77.2, Rock County significantly exceeds Minnesota's state average of 70.9, making it one of the state's strongest-performing counties overall. It stands out as a proven livability destination within Minnesota.

Unmatched Affordability and Tax Benefits

Rock County leads this cohort with the lowest effective tax rate (0.720%) and exceptional Cost Score (81.3), featuring median home values of $201,600 and rent at just $745/month. The county's Health Score of 78.5 further reinforces its balanced appeal.

Income Levels Remain Modest

The county's Income Score of 29.5 reflects a median household income of $70,698, limiting opportunity for high-earning professionals. The Risk Score of 90.6—the highest in this group—indicates exposure to significant economic or environmental pressures.

Ideal for Rural Cost-Conscious Families

Rock County is perfect for families and retirees seeking maximum affordability, minimal tax burden, and solid health services in a rural setting. It's Minnesota's best option for those prioritizing low living costs over high earning potential.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax82Cost81.3SafetyComing SoonHealth78.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome29.5Risk90.6WaterComing Soon
🏛82
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼29.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤78.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡90.6
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Rock County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Lincoln County
Colorado
77.2
Median income: $54,257
Treasure County
Montana
77.2
Median income: $73,036
Caribou County
Idaho
77.3
Median income: $66,653
Stevens County
Minnesota
77.3
Median income: $71,060
Bottineau County
North Dakota
77.3
Median income: $83,460

Deep Dives

Rock County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Rock County

via TaxByCounty

Rock County has Minnesota's lowest tax rate

Rock County's effective property tax rate of 0.720% ranks among the lowest in the entire country, well below the national median. The median property tax of $1,451 is nearly half the national median of $2,690, making Rock County exceptionally affordable for homeowners.

Lowest effective rate in Minnesota by far

Rock County's 0.720% effective rate dramatically undercuts Minnesota's state average of 0.968%, making it the lowest-taxed county in the state. Median taxes of $1,451 run 33% below the state average, offering homeowners significant relief.

Rock's rates far outpace region

Rock County's 0.720% rate is substantially lower than Sibley County's 1.099%, Renville County's 1.016%, and Roseau County's 0.928%. This rural southwest Minnesota county stands alone as a tax bargain.

Rock County homeowners save with 0.720% rate

The median home in Rock County is valued at $201,600; at the county's remarkably low 0.720% effective rate, that translates to just $1,451 in annual property taxes. Mortgage holders pay slightly more at $1,499 due to escrow.

Even at low rates, assessment errors happen

Rock County's low tax burden is no guarantee your individual property is fairly assessed. Review your assessment notice and consider an appeal if your valuation seems out of step with recent neighborhood sales.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Rock County

via CostByCounty

Rock County's Rental Bargain

Rock County residents dedicate just 12.7% of income to rent, the lowest ratio among these eight counties and well below both Minnesota's 14.5% average and national norms. At $745 per month, median rent ranks among Minnesota's most affordable, even as the county's $70,698 median household income sits modestly below the $74,755 national average.

Minnesota's Rental Affordability Champion

Rock County's 12.7% rent-to-income ratio positions it among the state's most affordable counties, outpacing the Minnesota average by 1.8 percentage points. This efficiency reflects a rural economy where housing costs have not inflated to match wages, creating genuine relief for working families.

Rock County Undercuts All Peers

Rock County's $745 rent is the lowest in this regional cluster, beating Renville ($760), Sibley ($858), Roseau ($886), and St. Louis ($970) by substantial margins. Its median home value of $201,600 also offers better value than Rice ($298,500) and Sherburne ($332,700), positioning it as the rural affordability leader.

Housing Takes Minimal Income Share

Renters spend $745 monthly while homeowners pay $906, together claiming just 12-13% of the $70,698 median household income. This leaves working families with meaningful resources for food, healthcare, transportation, and savings—a rare comfort in today's housing market.

Rock County for Maximum Affordability

Searching for Minnesota's most housing-affordable option? Rock County's 12.7% rent-to-income ratio and $745 median rent deliver genuine breathing room for renters and buyers alike. Families earning the county's median income of $70,698 stretch dollars further here than anywhere else in this regional comparison.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Rock County

via IncomeByCounty

Rock County slightly below national median

Rock County's median household income of $70,698 trails the national median of $74,755 by about 5.4%. While below the U.S. average, the county remains competitive with many rural and agricultural regions.

Lower-earning Minnesota county

At $70,698, Rock County falls below Minnesota's state average of $75,757, ranking in the lower-middle tier of the state's counties. The per capita income of $38,201 also sits slightly below the state average of $39,335.

Mid-range among southwestern peers

Rock County's $70,698 sits between Renville ($69,086) and Roseau ($73,611), making it a middle performer in its regional cohort. The county earns less than Rice County ($82,792) but maintains steady household income.

Excellent housing affordability

Rock County's 12.7% rent-to-income ratio is among the lowest measured, providing significant relief on housing costs compared to national norms. The median home value of $201,600 remains reasonable given the county's income levels.

Invest the savings from affordability

Rock County's exceptional housing affordability (12.7% of income) means residents have more discretionary income than their counterparts elsewhere. Direct those savings into index funds, bonds, or retirement accounts to build long-term financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Rock County

via HealthByCounty

Rock County life expectancy near national average

Rock County residents average 78.1 years of life expectancy, slightly below the U.S. average of 80.3 years. The county's 15.3% poor or fair health rate sits close to the national average of 15%, suggesting generally aligned health patterns. These metrics indicate Rock County occupies a middle ground in national health comparisons.

Slightly below Minnesota average for longevity

Rock County's 78.1-year life expectancy falls 0.6 years below Minnesota's 78.7-year state average, placing it in the lower-middle tier of state rankings. The 4.7% uninsured rate notably outperforms the state's 6.0% average, showing stronger-than-typical insurance coverage. This paradox suggests structural factors beyond insurance may influence health outcomes.

Rock excels in provider availability

Rock County leads the region with 93 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—the highest among comparison counties and well above Renville's 27 per 100K. Mental health provider density reaches 220 per 100K, creating exceptional behavioral health resources. This provider abundance makes Rock County a healthcare access leader in its region.

Excellent provider access, strong insurance coverage

Rock County's 4.7% uninsured rate is among the state's lowest, meaning 95% of residents have health coverage enabling care access. With 93 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, preventive and routine care are readily accessible throughout the county. Mental health services at 220 providers per 100K ensure behavioral health needs are comprehensively addressed.

Ensure continuous health insurance protection

Rock County's excellent coverage rate reflects strong local commitment to accessible healthcare—maintain that momentum by keeping your insurance active. If you're approaching coverage changes, check MNsure.org now to explore your options. Consistent coverage maximizes your access to Rock County's abundant healthcare resources.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Rock County

via RiskByCounty

Rock County is exceptionally safe

Rock County's composite risk score of 9.41 is among the lowest in the nation, earning a Very Low risk rating. Residents here face significantly fewer natural disaster threats than the typical American county.

Minnesota's safest county

At 9.41, Rock County's risk score is dramatically below Minnesota's state average of 42.38, making it the safest county in the state by a wide margin. This exceptional ranking reflects minimal exposure across nearly all hazard categories.

Safest in the southern region

Rock County (9.41) is far safer than neighboring Nobles County and substantially safer than Sibley County (22.96) to the north. Only a handful of Minnesota counties match Rock's exceptionally low risk profile.

Tornado risk exceeds other threats

Tornadoes represent Rock County's primary hazard at 36.16, still below the state average for this pervasive Midwestern threat. All other risks—flood (15.08), wildfire (7.54), and earthquake (7.03)—are minimal.

Standard insurance provides good coverage

Rock County's low overall risk means a standard homeowners policy covers most scenarios, though tornado/windstorm riders remain sensible. Residents should still maintain a weather emergency plan and stay alert during severe weather season.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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