Todd County

Minnesota · MN

#42 in Minnesota
71.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Todd County, Minnesota

Todd exceeds national livability norms

Todd County's composite score of 71.5 is firmly above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper half of American counties. This performance reflects solid fundamentals in housing cost and health that resonate with value-seeking households.

Slightly above Minnesota's average

Todd's score of 71.5 edges out Minnesota's state average of 70.9, placing it in the upper-middle tier among the state's counties. The county performs consistently in a state known for strong overall livability.

Affordability and good health outcomes

Todd County excels in housing affordability with a cost score of 80.0, featuring median rent at just $850 per month and homes averaging $188,400. Health services score a respectable 76.2, indicating decent medical access and outcomes for residents.

Income growth is limited

Median household income of $63,039 and an income score of 24.5 indicate constrained wage opportunities and economic advancement potential. Risk management scores 62.3, which is moderate but suggests residents should carefully evaluate financial protections.

Suited for cost-conscious newcomers

Todd County appeals to people relocating for lifestyle over earnings—families, remote workers, and those downsizing. It offers solid livability with very manageable housing costs and decent health care without demanding high incomes.

Score breakdown

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

Tax74.3Cost80SafetyComing SoonHealth76.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome24.5Risk62.3WaterComing Soon
🏛74.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠80
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼24.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
76.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
62.3
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Todd County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Todd County

via TaxByCounty

Todd County rates near national median

Todd County's effective tax rate of 0.995% sits virtually at the national median of 0.98%, making it an average US county for property tax burden. The median property tax of $1,874 falls below the national median of $2,690, reflecting a median home value of $188,400 that's lower than the national average.

Slightly above Minnesota state average

Todd County's 0.995% effective tax rate edges above Minnesota's state average of 0.968%, placing it in the middle range statewide. Its median property tax of $1,874 exceeds the state median of $2,168 by comparison to its lower median home value.

Mid-range taxes for central Minnesota

Todd County's 0.995% rate sits comfortably between Swift (0.855%) and Stearns (1.020%), representing a moderate burden in the region. Homeowners here pay roughly $300-400 less annually than in Steele or Wabasha counties on similar-value homes.

Median tax bill near $1,900 annually

On Todd County's median home valued at $188,400, property taxes average approximately $1,874 per year. With a mortgage, expect about $1,920; without, closer to $1,824.

Appeal process accessible to all homeowners

If your Todd County property feels overvalued, an assessment appeal is free to file and successful challenges are common. Even a 5-10% reduction in your assessed value could save you $100-200 annually—contact your county assessor to start.

Cost of Living in Todd County

via CostByCounty

Todd rents strain modest incomes

Todd County's 16.2% rent-to-income ratio exceeds national norms, driven by a $63,039 median income that sits 15.7% below the national average. The $850 monthly rent is moderate, but housing costs take a larger toll on earnings here than they do nationally.

Above Minnesota average strain

At 16.2%, Todd County's ratio outpaces Minnesota's 14.5% state average, placing it among the state's less affordable counties. The $850 rent runs slightly below the state average of $915, yet income constraints push affordability pressure above the state norm.

Similar challenges to Swift and Wadena

Todd County's $850 rent sits between Stevens ($833) and Stearns ($1,057), but its $63,039 income aligns with lower-earning rural neighbors like Swift ($62,601). Todd faces affordability pressures comparable to the most strained counties in this cluster.

Tight squeeze on working households

Renters pay $850 monthly while homeowners invest $863, with a median home value of $188,400. Todd residents allocate 16.2% of their $63,039 income to rent alone, leaving limited resources for other essential expenses and savings.

Explore income opportunities first

Todd County's rural character and low home values appeal to remote workers and retirees with stable income. If you're job-hunting, ensure local wage prospects justify relocating to a county where housing strains household budgets.

Income & Jobs in Todd County

via IncomeByCounty

Todd trails national and state income levels

Todd County's median household income of $63,039 falls $11,716 below the national median of $74,755. The county's economy faces structural headwinds tied to limited manufacturing diversity and distance from major employment centers.

Among Minnesota's lower-income counties

At $63,039, Todd ranks notably below Minnesota's state average of $75,757, placing it among the state's lower-earning counties. The county's per capita income of $32,283 also trails the state average of $39,335, indicating broader income concentration challenges.

Todd earns slightly above Southwest peers

Todd County's $63,039 median income edges above Swift ($62,601) and Wadena ($56,882) but lags Traverse ($65,931) and all higher-income neighbors. The county shares rural characteristics with similarly struggling counties, limiting competitive wage pressures.

Housing costs demand careful budgeting

Todd's rent-to-income ratio of 16.2% indicates housing costs take a meaningful bite from household earnings—above the national comfort threshold. Combined with median home values of $188,400, families must budget carefully to balance housing needs with other financial priorities.

Build wealth despite income constraints

Todd County residents should focus on maximizing non-income wealth sources: employer benefits, tax credits, and low-fee savings vehicles accessible to modest earners. Starting small—even $25 monthly into a savings account—establishes discipline and creates cushion against income volatility.

Health in Todd County

via HealthByCounty

Todd exceeds U.S. life expectancy

Todd County residents live to 80.9 years on average, 2.5 years longer than the U.S. average of 78.4 years. However, at 16.8%, the county's poor or fair health rate exceeds both the national (16.0%) and state averages, indicating daily wellness challenges.

Longer lives, but daily struggles

Todd County's 80.9-year life expectancy beats Minnesota's state average of 78.7 years by 2.2 years. Yet its 16.8% poor or fair health rate ranks among the highest in the state, suggesting health disparities and daily wellness concerns.

Mixed outcomes in central region

Todd County's 80.9-year life expectancy places it above Swift (79.0 years) but below Stevens (82.9 years). However, Todd's 16.8% poor or fair health rate is the worst among central Minnesota peers, revealing underlying health challenges.

Mental health access severely limited

Todd County has 83 primary care providers per 100,000 residents but only 27 mental health providers—one of the lowest rates in the region. With 8.2% of residents uninsured—36% above the state average—many Todd County residents cannot access the mental health care they need.

Mental health access requires coverage

Todd County's severe shortage of mental health providers makes insurance even more critical for accessing care outside the county. MNsure.org can help you find coverage that includes mental health services and telehealth options.

Disaster Risk in Todd County

via RiskByCounty

Todd County maintains very low risk profile

Todd County's composite risk score of 37.72 falls just below Minnesota's state average of 42.38, earning a very low risk rating. The county offers substantially safer conditions than most U.S. communities.

Lower-risk county in Minnesota

Todd County ranks in the safer half of Minnesota's 87 counties for natural disaster exposure, with a 37.72 composite score. This positioning reflects balanced hazard exposure with no single dominating threat.

Comparable to Steele County's risk level

Todd County (37.72) nearly mirrors Steele County (37.15) in composite risk, making them peer communities for disaster preparedness. Both outperform Stearns County (87.56) dramatically to the southeast.

Wildfire and flood present dual concerns

Todd County faces dual primary threats: wildfire risk (71.60) and flood risk (56.23), with tornado risk (39.95) as a secondary hazard. Wildfire exposure is particularly notable during Minnesota's dry seasons.

Wildfire awareness plus standard coverage

Todd County residents should maintain defensible space around homes and verify wildfire coverage in their standard homeowners policy. Flood insurance remains optional given the moderate 56.23 flood risk, but property-by-property assessment is recommended.

ByCounty Network

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