CountyScore

Roseau County

Minnesota · MN

#37 in Minnesota
71.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Roseau County, Minnesota

Soundly Above National Median

Roseau County scores 71.7, well above the national median of 50.0 and placing it in the top 44th percentile nationally. The county delivers livability quality exceeding most American counties.

Matches Minnesota's State Average

At 71.7, Roseau County essentially matches Minnesota's state average of 70.9, performing in line with typical counties across the state. It's a solid, middle-of-the-pack performer without significant distinction.

Health and Affordability in Balance

Roseau County scores well on Health (78.9) and Cost (76.9), with median home values of $177,100 and rent at $886/month offering strong affordability. The Tax Score of 76.2 and effective tax rate of 0.928% further enhance its appeal.

Income Opportunities Limited

The Income Score of 31.4 reflects a median household income of $73,611, placing the county well below state and national averages for earning potential. This constraint may limit appeal to career-focused professionals.

Suits Healthcare-Focused Retirees

Roseau County appeals to retirees and families prioritizing affordable living, low taxes, and access to quality healthcare in a rural northern Minnesota setting. It's ideal for those with fixed or modest incomes seeking reliable health services.

Score breakdown

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

Tax76.2Cost76.9SafetyComing SoonHealth78.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome31.4Risk56.2WaterComing Soon
🏛76.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠76.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼31.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤78.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡56.2
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 Roseau County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Yakutat City and Borough
Alaska
71.7
Median income: $80,625
Howard County
Arkansas
71.7
Median income: $44,492
Monroe County
Arkansas
71.7
Median income: $43,955
Montrose County
Colorado
71.7
Median income: $66,072
Lawrence County
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71.7
Median income: $65,551

Deep Dives

Roseau County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Roseau County

via TaxByCounty

Roseau County's rate below national median

Roseau County's effective property tax rate of 0.928% sits below the national median rate, reflecting its small-town Minnesota character. The median property tax of $1,644 falls well short of the national median of $2,690, thanks to median home values around 37% lower than the U.S. average.

Roseau runs nearly even with state average

Roseau County's 0.928% effective rate is just slightly below Minnesota's 0.968% state average, placing it near the center of the state's 87 counties. Median taxes of $1,644 run 24% below the state average of $2,168.

Moderate taxes for far northern Minnesota

Roseau County's 0.928% rate is notably lower than Renville County's 1.016% and substantially lower than Sibley County's 1.099%. As Minnesota's northernmost county, Roseau offers reasonable property tax burden relative to its regional peers.

Roseau homeowners pay $1,644 annually

The median home in Roseau County is valued at $177,100; at the county's 0.928% effective rate, that homeowner pays approximately $1,644 in annual property taxes. The figure rises to $1,792 for those with mortgages due to escrow.

Assessment challenges apply in Roseau too

Even in affordable Roseau County, some homeowners may be overassessed relative to market value. File an appeal with your county assessor if your property tax seems misaligned with recent comparable sales in your neighborhood.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Roseau County

via CostByCounty

Roseau Aligns with Minnesota Average

Roseau County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.4% sits nearly level with Minnesota's 14.5% average and tracks the national affordability benchmark closely. Median rent of $886 per month slightly exceeds the state's $915 average, while the $73,611 median household income falls just below the $74,755 national median.

Roseau Mirrors State Norms

With a rent-to-income ratio nearly identical to Minnesota's statewide average, Roseau County ranks squarely in the middle for state affordability. This positioning reflects a rural, working-class economy where housing pressures remain manageable despite modest wage levels.

Northern Minnesota's Middle Ground

Roseau County's $886 rent falls between Rock County's bargain rates ($745) and St. Louis County's premium pricing ($970), positioning it as a northern Minnesota middle option. Home values of $177,100 similarly split the difference between rural counties like Renville ($151,900) and higher-cost peers like Rice ($298,500).

Balanced Housing-to-Income Costs

Renters spend $886 monthly while homeowners allocate $1,019, together consuming roughly 14% of the $73,611 median household income. This alignment with state averages reflects Roseau's position as a representative rural Minnesota county without dramatic affordability pressures or bargains.

Roseau for Stable Rural Living

If you seek predictable, middle-of-the-road Minnesota affordability, Roseau County delivers exactly that—no surprises, fair housing costs, and a working-class community vibe. Compare it to pricier metros like Scott County or lower-cost bargains like Rock County, and you'll find a steady middle path.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Roseau County

via IncomeByCounty

Roseau slightly below national income

Roseau County's median household income of $73,611 sits 1.5% below the national median of $74,755—nearly at parity with the U.S. average. The county performs comparably to typical American households.

Below Minnesota's state average

At $73,611, Roseau County trails Minnesota's state average of $75,757 but remains closer to the state median than many rural counties. The per capita income of $36,987 falls below the state average of $39,335.

Mid-range in the region

Roseau County's $73,611 income positions it above Renville ($69,086) and Rock ($70,698) but below Rice County ($82,792). The county represents moderate earning power among its rural Minnesota peers.

Balanced housing affordability

With a rent-to-income ratio of 14.4%, Roseau County residents allocate a healthy but manageable share to housing costs. The median home value of $177,100 aligns well with the county's income levels.

Smart savings build security

Roseau County's moderate income of $73,611 and reasonable housing costs (14.4%) create space for intentional financial planning. Even small regular investments in diversified funds can grow substantially over time through compound interest.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Roseau County

via HealthByCounty

Roseau County lags national life expectancy

At 77.0 years, Roseau County's life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 80.3 years by 3.3 years—a significant gap reflecting substantial health challenges. The county's 13.2% poor or fair health rate falls below the national average of 15%, suggesting acute rather than widespread health challenges. This disparity warrants deeper investigation into the drivers of reduced longevity.

Lowest life expectancy in state comparison group

Roseau County's 77.0-year life expectancy ranks lowest among Minnesota comparison counties and lags the state average of 78.7 years by 1.7 years. The 5.3% uninsured rate slightly exceeds the state's 6.0% average, indicating coverage is available but potentially not as robust as needed. These metrics suggest Roseau faces distinct health and healthcare challenges.

Roseau's longevity and providers trail peers

Roseau's 77.0-year life expectancy significantly underperforms neighboring counties like Sherburne (79.4 years) and Scott (81.1 years) by 2-4 years. Primary care provider density at 52 per 100K exceeds only Renville, limiting preventive care accessibility. Mental health providers at 39 per 100K fall well below regional peers, creating behavioral health access barriers.

Limited provider network constrains healthcare access

Roseau County has just 52 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—requiring residents to travel further for routine preventive care compared to nearby counties. Mental health provider shortages at 39 per 100K mean behavioral health support requires travel or wait times. The combination of limited primary care and mental health capacity directly impacts residents' ability to manage chronic conditions.

Secure coverage to access available services

Even with limited providers, maintaining active health insurance ensures you access Roseau's available healthcare resources without financial barriers. Visit MNsure.org to verify your coverage status and explore options if uninsured. Community health centers throughout Roseau can connect you to coverage programs and provide essential care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Roseau County

via RiskByCounty

Roseau faces moderate national risk

Roseau County's composite risk score of 43.86 slightly exceeds the national average, carrying a Relatively Low rating. The score masks a significant concentration of wildfire danger that sets this county apart from most peers.

Slightly above Minnesota's average

At 43.86, Roseau County's risk score edges above Minnesota's state average of 42.38, reflecting above-average exposure to specific hazards. The county's Relatively Low rating indicates manageable but non-trivial disaster risk.

Wildfire risk distinguishes Roseau

Roseau County (43.86) shares similar overall risk with other northern Minnesota counties, but its wildfire score of 91.00 is extraordinary—the highest among all counties in this comparison. This unique vulnerability sets Roseau apart from neighbors like Koochiching and Lake counties.

Wildfire danger is extreme

Roseau County's wildfire risk of 91.00 is by far its dominant hazard and among the highest in Minnesota, driven by vast forested landscapes and dry conditions. Flooding poses a secondary threat at 59.96, while tornado and earthquake risks remain minimal.

Prioritize wildfire preparedness

Roseau County residents must focus on wildfire mitigation: clear vegetation within 30 feet of structures, use fire-resistant roofing, and maintain comprehensive homeowners insurance. Consider brush clearing as a annual priority and develop an evacuation plan for wildfire 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.