countyscore
57.4
County Score
Safety 87.2Health 86.8Soil Quality 81.1

County Report Card

About Sibley County, Minnesota

Strong Livability in a Quiet Setting

Sibley County scores a 57.3 on the composite index, outperforming the national median of 50.0. It provides a stable and high-quality environment compared to many rural counties nationwide.

Exceeding State Performance Benchmarks

With a 57.3 composite score, Sibley sits above the Minnesota state average of 55.8. It remains a hidden gem for those looking for safety and stability outside the major metro hubs.

A Leader in Public Safety

The county shines with a Safety Score of 87.2 and a Health Score of 86.8. Residents benefit from a peaceful community atmosphere and a strong median household income of $76,082.

Water and Education Hurdles

Sibley faces a significant challenge with its Water Score of 5.5, the lowest among its metrics. Additionally, a School Score of 42.9 suggests room for growth in the local educational infrastructure.

Best for Peace and Quiet

Sibley County is a top choice for individuals prioritizing personal safety and a tight-knit community. It offers a high standard of living for those who don't mind investing in private water solutions or supplemental education.

20406080100293887.286.842.978.177.15.545.3Tax29Cost38Safety87.2Health86.8Schools42.9Income78.1Risk77.1Water5.5Weather45.357.4/100
This county
National avg
4 above average5 below average

Sibley County DNA

Foverall

How Sibley County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Sibley County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Health (86.8/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (5.5/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
29-23
Cost
38-10
Safety
87.2+32.2
Health
86.8+36.8
Schools
42.9-11.100000000000001
Income
78.1+27.099999999999994
Risk
77.1+30.099999999999994
Water
5.5-52.5
Weather
45.3-10.700000000000003
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Think property taxes are too high in Sibley County?

Many homeowners in Sibley County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$231,900

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$855/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$231,900/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$34,200/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.0x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $77,634/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

13.4

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Alfalfa County
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Armstrong County
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Cleburne County
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Nearby counties

McLeod County
Minnesota
49.7
Carver County
Minnesota
56
Nicollet County
Minnesota
53.8
Le Sueur County
Minnesota
54.6
Scott County
Minnesota
46.1
Blue Earth County
Minnesota
41.5
Meeker County
Minnesota
58.2
Brown County
Minnesota
60.7

Deep Dives

Sibley County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Sibley County

via TaxByCounty

Sibley County taxes above national rates

Sibley County's effective property tax rate of 1.099% ranks well above the national median, making it one of the higher-taxed counties nationally. The median property tax of $2,364 slightly exceeds the national median of $2,690 relative to the county's median home value of $215,000.

Sibley second-highest in Minnesota

Sibley County's 1.099% effective rate ranks second-highest in Minnesota, exceeded only by Scott County's 1.066%—and substantially above the state average of 0.968%. Median taxes of $2,364 run 9% above the state average despite lower home values.

Sibley leads region with highest rate

Sibley County's 1.099% rate exceeds all regional neighbors, including Renville County's 1.016%, Roseau County's 0.928%, and Rock County's 0.720%. This rural south-central Minnesota county carries the heaviest property tax burden in its region.

Sibley homeowners pay $2,364 annually

The median home in Sibley County is valued at $215,000; at the county's 1.099% effective rate, that homeowner pays approximately $2,364 in annual property taxes. Mortgage holders see this climb to $2,451 due to escrow arrangements.

Sibley's high rate makes appeals worthwhile

With the state's second-highest tax rate, Sibley County homeowners have significant incentive to challenge inflated assessments. Contact your assessor to request a formal reassessment if your property's valuation seems disconnected from comparable recent sales.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Sibley County

via IncomeByCounty

Sibley County slightly above national median

Sibley County's median household income of $76,082 edges 1.8% above the national median of $74,755—nearly at parity with the U.S. average. The county performs right in line with typical American households.

At Minnesota's state average

At $76,082, Sibley County sits just slightly below Minnesota's state average of $75,757, performing near the middle of the state's counties. The per capita income of $38,862 also closely mirrors the state average of $39,335.

Mid-range among rural counties

Sibley County's $76,082 exceeds most rural neighbors including Renville ($69,086) and Rock ($70,698), while trailing Rice County ($82,792). The county represents solid middle-tier earning power in south-central Minnesota.

Balanced affordability statewide

With a 13.5% rent-to-income ratio, Sibley County offers reasonable housing affordability for its income level. The median home value of $215,000 aligns sensibly with typical household earnings.

Build wealth through consistency

Sibley County's moderate income of $76,082 and solid affordability (13.5%) provide a stable foundation for steady wealth accumulation. Consistent contributions to retirement accounts and diversified investments, even if modest, compound meaningfully over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Sibley County

via CrimeByCounty

Top-Tier National Safety in Sibley

Sibley County is one of the safest in the country, earning an impressive safety score of 99.6. Its total crime rate of 280.9 per 100K is a small fraction of the national 2,385.5 average.

A Leader in Minnesota Safety

Sibley far exceeds the state average safety score of 98.2. Its total crime rate is nearly 75% lower than the Minnesota average of 1,123.5 per 100K.

Low Crime Rates vs. Renville

With just 280.9 crimes per 100K, Sibley is significantly safer than neighboring Renville County. Six reporting agencies confirm these exceptionally low crime figures.

Minimal Incident Breakdown

Both violent crime (60.2) and property crime (220.7) are remarkably low in Sibley County. This translates to an environment where serious safety incidents are very rare for residents.

Keeping Sibley Safe

Even with such high safety scores, it is wise to maintain basic home security. Ensure all entry points are well-lit and secure to keep Sibley County at the top of the safety rankings.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Sibley County

via WeatherByCounty

Warm Summer Peaks in Sibley

Sibley County's annual average temperature of 44.9°F is nearly 9 degrees below the national median. Despite the cooler annual average, its summer peaks are more intense than many neighboring regions.

Among Minnesota's Warmest Counties

Sibley County is significantly warmer than the state average of 42.8°F. It ranks high for temperature among Minnesota counties, largely due to its southern prairie location.

The Heat Leader in the Region

Compared to Scott County, Sibley experiences twice as many extreme heat days each year. Its July average of 72.7°F makes it one of the warmer agricultural hubs in the Minnesota River Valley.

Sweltering Summers and Cold Winters

The county endures 12 days of extreme heat above 90°F, the highest in this group. This is balanced by a winter average of 16.9°F, creating a wide seasonal temperature swing of over 55 degrees.

Prioritizing Summer Cooling

Given the 12 days of extreme heat, residents should ensure air conditioning systems are well-maintained. While snowfall data is unavailable, the 13.6°F January average still requires robust home insulation.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Sibley County

via SoilByCounty

Sibley’s Rich Clay Loam Soils

Sibley County features Entisols with a dominant texture of clay loam and a pH of 6.89. This slightly alkaline profile is higher than the national median of 6.5 and the state average of 6.21. It provides a stable and productive foundation for diverse plant life.

A Balanced Loamy Distribution

The soil contains 35.5% silt, 35.2% sand, and 23.3% clay. This even distribution provides the ideal 'loam' texture that farmers and gardeners highly prize. It retains enough water for plants while allowing for enough drainage to prevent root rot.

Exceptional Moisture Storage

Organic matter is high at 8.91%, which is more than four times the national average. Sibley's water capacity of 0.204 in/in exceeds the state average of 0.199. These numbers indicate a very fertile landscape with high potential for consistent crop yields.

Optimal Well-Drained Conditions

The soil is classified as well-drained and belongs to Hydrologic Group B. This is considered an ideal category for agriculture, as it manages rainfall efficiently without staying overly wet. A soil score of 81.1 confirms that Sibley’s land is of superior quality.

Abundant Growth in Zone 4b

In Hardiness Zone 4b, Sibley County is a prime location for corn, soybeans, and lush vegetable gardens. The clay loam soil is particularly good for heavy-feeding plants like tomatoes and squash. Start your garden today in some of the state's best-rated soil.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Sibley County

via LawnByCounty

Sibley County's High Lawn Potential

A lawn difficulty score of 76.0 makes Sibley County a premier location for growing grass in Minnesota. This score is significantly higher than both the state and national averages. The Zone 4b climate here provides a generous growing window for dedicated homeowners.

A Warm and Long Growing Season

Sibley enjoys a robust 2,710 growing degree days, which is quite high for the region. However, you must contend with 12 days of extreme heat, which is 50% higher than the state average. While precipitation data is limited, the high heat days suggest that supplemental summer watering is a must.

Well-Drained Clay Loam Soils

The soil is classified as well-drained clay loam, featuring a balanced 23.3% clay and 35.2% sand. A pH of 6.89 is nearly perfect, ensuring that your grass can easily access all available nutrients. This natural soil quality is a major asset for any local gardener.

Minimal Drought Impact So Far

Only 27.1% of Sibley County is currently classified as abnormally dry, and the area only saw four weeks of drought last year. These stable conditions mean your lawn likely hasn't faced significant stress recently. Maintain this health by watering deeply in the early morning during the hottest weeks.

Longest Growing Window in the Region

With a very early last frost on April 24 and a late first frost on October 15, Sibley has an exceptionally long season. This gives you ample time to establish Zone 4b grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass. The extended fall allows for excellent root development before the ground freezes.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sibley County's county score?
Sibley 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 Sibley County rank among counties in Minnesota?
Sibley County ranks #38 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 Sibley County, Minnesota?
The median annual property tax in Sibley County is $2,544, with an effective tax rate of 1.10%. This earns Sibley County a tax score of 29/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Sibley County?
The median household income in Sibley County, Minnesota is $77,634 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Sibley County earns an income score of 78.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is Sibley County, Minnesota a good place to live?
Sibley County scores 57.4/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #38 in Minnesota. The best way to evaluate Sibley 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 Sibley County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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