countyscore
40.7
County Score
Health 80.3Income & Jobs 65.1Water Quality 57.2

County Report Card

About St. Louis County, Minnesota

A Challenging National Profile

St. Louis County's composite score of 40.7 falls below the national median of 50.0. This score reflects the complex socio-economic and environmental landscape of this large northern county.

Below the Minnesota Average

The county's score of 40.7 is notably lower than the Minnesota average of 55.8. While it offers unique natural beauty, it trails the state in several key livability metrics like safety and risk.

Solid Healthcare and Earning Potential

St. Louis County maintains a strong Health Score of 80.3, anchored by regional medical hubs. It also offers decent earning power with an Income Score of 65.1 and a median income of $69,455.

Safety and Environmental Vulnerabilities

The county struggles with a low Safety Score of 14.9 and a Risk Score of 8.4. These numbers point to higher crime rates relative to the state and a vulnerability to regional environmental hazards.

Suits Resilient Outdoor Enthusiasts

This county is best for those who value access to the North Shore and strong medical facilities over traditional safety metrics. It offers a rugged lifestyle where income and healthcare remain competitive despite other challenges.

2040608010036.130.214.980.349.865.18.457.248.3Tax36.1Cost30.2Safety14.9Health80.3Schools49.8Income65.1Risk8.4Water57.2Weather48.340.7/100
This county
National avg
2 above average4 below average

St. Louis County DNA

Foverall

How St. Louis County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

St. Louis County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Health (80.3/100) but notably weak in Safety (14.9/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
36.1-15.899999999999999
Cost
30.2-17.8
Safety
14.9-40.1
Health
80.3+30.299999999999997
Schools
49.8
Income
65.1+14.099999999999994
Risk
8.4-38.6
Water
57.2
Weather
48.3
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$208,500

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$970/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$208,500/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$38,800/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.0x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $69,455/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

15.0

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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Nearby counties

Lake County
Minnesota
65.4
Itasca County
Minnesota
56.4
Koochiching County
Minnesota
59.9
Carlton County
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49.8
Douglas County
Wisconsin
40
Bayfield County
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58.6
Cook County
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61.6
Aitkin County
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53.3

Deep Dives

St. Louis County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in St. Louis County

via TaxByCounty

St. Louis County taxes above national median

St. Louis County's effective property tax rate of 1.027% exceeds the national median, though its median property tax of $2,142 falls short of the national median of $2,690. This reflects the county's median home value of $208,500—26% below the U.S. average.

St. Louis slightly above Minnesota average

St. Louis County's 1.027% effective rate surpasses Minnesota's 0.968% state average, placing it in the upper-middle tier of the state's 87 counties. Median taxes of $2,142 run just 1% below the state average of $2,168.

St. Louis taxes moderate for region

St. Louis County's 1.027% rate sits between Sherburne County's 0.995% and Renville County's 1.016%, making it typical for the broader Minnesota region. As Minnesota's largest county by area, St. Louis blends rural and urban tax burdens.

St. Louis median home tax: $2,142 yearly

The median home in St. Louis County is valued at $208,500; at the county's 1.027% effective rate, that homeowner pays approximately $2,142 in annual property taxes. Mortgage holders see this rise to $2,317 due to escrow.

St. Louis homeowners should verify assessments

Even in a moderately taxed county like St. Louis, many properties are assessed above fair market value. File a formal appeal with your county assessor if your property tax seems misaligned with recent neighborhood sales.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in St. Louis County

via CostByCounty

St. Louis County Faces Affordability Pressure

St. Louis County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.8% is the highest among these eight counties and exceeds Minnesota's 14.5% average by 2.3 percentage points, signaling genuine affordability strain. Median rent of $970 per month modestly exceeds the state's $915 average, while the $69,455 median household income trails the $74,755 national median, squeezing renters from both directions.

St. Louis County Struggles Statewide

St. Louis County ranks among Minnesota's least affordable counties, with the highest rent-to-income ratio in this comparison and below-average household incomes. This positioning reflects an economy dependent on legacy industries, where wage stagnation has not kept pace with housing costs.

St. Louis County's Regional Disadvantage

St. Louis County's 16.8% rent-to-income ratio significantly exceeds every regional peer—Rock County (12.7%), Renville (13.2%), Sherburne (13.4%), and Sibley (13.5%)—marking it as the outlier in this northern Minnesota cluster. Its $970 median rent and lower median income combine to create the most constrained affordability in the group.

Housing Costs Bite Deeper

Renters allocate $970 monthly while homeowners spend $1,034, consuming 16.8% and 17.9% of the $69,455 median household income respectively. St. Louis County households dedicate a larger share of earnings to housing than any peer, leaving less for other essentials and limiting financial flexibility.

St. Louis County Needs Income Boost

St. Louis County's 16.8% rent-to-income ratio signals affordability stress; if you're considering moving here, ensure your income matches or exceeds the $69,455 median to avoid financial strain. Comparing to Rock County (12.7% ratio) or Renville (13.2%), you'll see why northern Minnesota renters face tighter housing markets and should plan accordingly.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in St. Louis County

via IncomeByCounty

St. Louis trails national income

St. Louis County's median household income of $69,455 falls 7.1% below the national median of $74,755. The county reflects the economic realities of a region transitioning from mining and industrial heritage.

Among Minnesota's lower-earning counties

At $69,455, St. Louis County ranks below Minnesota's state average of $75,757, placing it among the lower-earning counties statewide. The per capita income of $39,778 slightly exceeds the state average of $39,335, showing uneven income distribution.

Lower earners in the north

St. Louis County's $69,455 ranks near the bottom of the eight-county comparison, exceeding only Renville ($69,086). The county faces greater economic challenges than more prosperous Minnesota regions.

Housing affordability challenged

St. Louis County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.8% is the highest among these counties, exceeding the 15% threshold and straining household budgets. The median home value of $208,500 represents a significant burden relative to local earning power.

Prioritize financial resilience

St. Louis County's modest $69,455 income and elevated housing costs (16.8%) require disciplined financial planning and budgeting. Building an emergency fund and even minimal retirement contributions should be priority one before pursuing other wealth-building strategies.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in St. Louis County

via CrimeByCounty

St. Louis County National Trends

St. Louis County reports a total crime rate of 2,397.1 per 100K, which is slightly above the national average of 2,385.5. It holds a safety score of 96.2, indicating more activity than rural neighbors.

St. Louis County's State Profile

The county's crime rate is more than double the Minnesota average of 1,123.5 per 100K. Consequently, its safety score of 96.2 falls below the state average of 98.2.

Higher Crime Than Southern Neighbors

St. Louis County has a much higher crime rate than Scott or Sherburne. A large network of 17 reporting agencies tracks safety across this vast and diverse region.

Focusing on Property Crime

Property crime is the main driver here at 2,156.2 per 100K, slightly above the national average. Violent crime sits at 240.9, which is higher than the state average but lower than the national mark.

Upgrading Your Home Defense

Enhanced home security is a smart investment in St. Louis County given the property crime rates. Use alarm systems and motion sensors to provide an extra layer of protection for your household.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in St. Louis County

via SchoolsByCounty

A Massive and Diverse Northern Network

St. Louis County operates one of the state's largest educational networks with 88 public schools and 20 districts. This vast system serves 23,798 students through a mix of 34 elementary, 6 middle, and 36 high schools. The infrastructure also includes 19 alternative schools and 7 special education facilities to serve its wide geographic area.

High Investment for Broad Academic Goals

The county spends $9,110 per pupil, which is notably higher than the state average of $8,463. While the graduation rate of 84.0% trails the state average of 86.6%, the county maintains a school score of 54.9, exactly matching the Minnesota state median. This high level of funding supports a diverse array of programs across very different locales.

Duluth Public Schools Anchor the Region

The Duluth Public School District is the county's largest, managing 28 schools and 8,554 students. Other major districts include St. Louis County School District and Proctor Public Schools, which serve 1,954 and 1,898 students respectively. Charter schools also have a firm foothold here, with 6 institutions serving the community.

From Urban Centers to Rural Outposts

School locales are incredibly diverse, featuring 34 rural schools, 26 city schools, and 24 town-based schools. East High School in Duluth is the largest with 1,494 students, while the average school size across the county is 309 students. This variety ensures that families can find an educational environment that fits their specific lifestyle needs.

Explore Endless Educational Opportunities

St. Louis County offers more school choice and variety than almost any other region in northern Minnesota. Whether you seek the resources of a large city high school in Duluth or a quiet rural elementary, this county has it all. Look for homes in this expansive county to find an educational fit as unique as your family.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in St. Louis County

via RiskByCounty

St. Louis County faces highest risk

St. Louis County's composite risk score of 91.57 ranks among the highest in the nation, earning a Relatively Moderate rating that reflects serious multi-hazard exposure. Residents face substantially greater disaster risk than the typical American.

Minnesota's riskiest county

At 91.57, St. Louis County's risk score dramatically exceeds Minnesota's state average of 42.38, making it the state's most hazard-prone county by a significant margin. This exceptional ranking reflects elevated exposure across floods, wildfires, and tornadoes.

Risk leader in northeastern Minnesota

St. Louis County (91.57) vastly exceeds all neighboring counties in disaster risk, including Lake and Cook counties to the north and east. Its combination of flooding, wildfire, and tornado threats is unmatched in the region.

Flooding and wildfire dominate

St. Louis County faces an exceptional flood risk of 91.76—the highest in Minnesota—compounded by wildfire danger at 81.74 and tornado risk at 64.73. This triple threat makes the county uniquely vulnerable to cascading natural disasters.

Comprehensive insurance is essential

St. Louis County residents must prioritize maximum coverage: NFIP flood insurance immediately, windstorm riders for tornadoes, and full wildfire provisions in homeowners policies. Given the county's exceptional risk, professional home risk assessment and mitigation planning are strongly recommended.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in St. Louis County

via WaterByCounty

Moderate Compliance in St. Louis County

St. Louis County earns a Grade C for drinking water, with 13 health violations recorded over the last five years. Despite these violations, its rate of 8.6 per 100,000 people remains well below the Minnesota state average of 32.5. Local systems show a generally strong but imperfect record of meeting federal standards.

Healthy Watersheds with Zero Impairments

In the 2022 reporting cycle, all three assessed water bodies in St. Louis County were found to have 0.0% impairment. This is an exceptional result compared to the state average of 1.5% for impaired waters. The county's assessed lakes and rivers currently meet all Clean Water Act §303(d) standards.

Massive Monitoring Effort Tracks County Water

St. Louis County boasts a massive monitoring footprint with 112,483 measurements taken across 927 sites. Monitoring efforts are comprehensive, covering physical traits, microbiological markers, and emerging PFAS chemicals. This extensive data provides one of the most detailed water quality profiles in the state.

Vermilion River Seeing Significant High Flows

The Vermilion River near Crane Lake is currently flowing at 1,160 cfs, which is 188% of its long-term mean of 616 cfs. These high flows can increase sediment transport and potentially impact local shoreline stability. Residents should be aware of how these surge conditions may affect local recreational and source waters.

Protect Excellence and Monitor Tap Quality

While watershed health is currently excellent, the Grade C compliance rating suggests residents should still use basic water filtration for peace of mind. High river flows may introduce temporary changes in water taste or clarity, so pay attention to utility updates. Regular testing for microbiological contaminants is recommended to ensure your tap water remains safe.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in St. Louis County

via WeatherByCounty

The Epicenter of Northwoods Cold

St. Louis County averages 37.8°F annually, making it one of the coldest large counties in the United States. Its 28.2 inches of precipitation is below the national median but results in massive snowfall due to the cold.

Well Below the State Average

At 37.8°F, the county is exactly 5 degrees colder than the Minnesota state average. It ranks as one of the coldest jurisdictions in the state, influenced by both its northern latitude and Lake Superior.

Snowier than the Interior

With 70.7 inches of snow, St. Louis County receives significantly more frozen precipitation than Stearns or Sherburne. Its July average of 64.9°F is much cooler than the 70-plus averages seen further south.

Extreme Snow and Rare Heat

Winter is the dominant season with 70.7 inches of snowfall and an average temperature of 10.1°F. Extreme heat is nearly non-existent, with only 2 days per year reaching 90°F.

Built for the Long Winter

Residents must invest in heavy-duty snow removal and vehicle winterization to handle over 70 inches of snow. High-performance insulation is a priority over air conditioning, which is rarely needed.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in St. Louis County

via SoilByCounty

The Diverse Soils of the North

St. Louis County features a wide range of soil conditions, though specific pH and taxonomic data for this set is limited. Generally, northern Minnesota soils are shaped by glacial activity and dense forests. Local testing is recommended to find your specific soil's identity.

Varied Textures Across the County

Precise percentages for sand, silt, and clay are not available in this dataset for St. Louis County. In this region, textures can vary wildly from heavy clay near Lake Superior to rocky till in the Arrowhead. Observation of your local plot is the best way to understand its workability.

Natural Organic Forest Floors

While specific organic matter and water capacity figures are missing, the region is known for its high-organic forest soils. These soils often require amendments like compost to boost productivity for traditional garden vegetables. The natural fertility of the North Woods supports massive timber and berry growth.

Complex Drainage Patterns

Drainage in this large county depends heavily on local topography and bedrock depth. Without a dominant hydrologic group on record, growers should watch for seasonal ponding or rapid runoff in sloped areas. Understanding your local watershed is key for any construction or large planting.

Resilient Gardening in Zone 3b

St. Louis County faces the tough winters of Zone 3b, requiring extremely cold-hardy varieties. Focus on short-season crops like kale, radishes, and native berries that love the northern climate. Despite the challenges, the rugged landscape offers a rewarding environment for dedicated gardeners.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in St. Louis County

via LawnByCounty

Challenging Conditions in St. Louis County

Maintaining a lawn in St. Louis County is a major task, evidenced by a difficulty score of 43.9. This is significantly lower than the national median and the state average of 63.9. The harsh Zone 3b climate requires specific strategies and resilient grass choices.

Cooler Summers and Low Growing Energy

The county only sees 1,534 growing degree days, giving grass much less energy to grow compared to southern Minnesota. Precipitation is slightly low at 28.2 inches, but the lack of heat—only two days over 90—helps prevent moisture loss. Your lawn will naturally grow slower and stay dormant longer here.

Limited Soil Data for the North Woods

Detailed soil texture and pH data are currently unavailable for this region. However, general northern Minnesota trends suggest more acidic and rocky soils that may need frequent testing. We recommend a local soil test to determine exactly what your specific yard needs for success.

Facing Long-Term Drought Stress

St. Louis County has struggled with 37 weeks of drought over the past year, with 100% of the county currently dry. A portion of the county is in Severe Drought (D2), which is rare for the state. You must prioritize water conservation and avoid heavy lawn traffic while the grass is under such high stress.

A Short Window for Cold-Hardy Grass

Only the hardiest Zone 3b grasses will survive the local winters; think Creeping Red Fescue or hardy Bluegrass blends. The planting window is very short, starting after May 28 and ending by October 1. Be prepared for a quick transition from spring thaw to winter prep.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is St. Louis County's county score?
St. Louis County, Minnesota has a composite county score of 40.7 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 St. Louis County rank among counties in Minnesota?
St. Louis County ranks #84 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 St. Louis County, Minnesota?
The median annual property tax in St. Louis County is $2,142, with an effective tax rate of 1.03%. This earns St. Louis County a tax score of 36.1/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in St. Louis County?
The median household income in St. Louis County, Minnesota is $69,455 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. St. Louis County earns an income score of 65.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is St. Louis County, Minnesota a good place to live?
St. Louis County scores 40.7/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #84 in Minnesota. The best way to evaluate St. Louis 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 St. Louis County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.