CountyScore

Waseca County

Minnesota · MN

#43 in Minnesota
71.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Waseca County, Minnesota

Waseca outpaces national median

With a composite score of 71.5, Waseca County ranks well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 43rd percentile nationally. This means Waseca offers better overall livability than roughly 4 in 5 U.S. counties. The county's strength lies in affordable housing and manageable tax burdens relative to national averages.

Slightly above Minnesota average

Waseca's score of 71.5 edges past Minnesota's state average of 70.9, making it a solid performer within its home state. While not a top-tier Minnesota county, Waseca holds its ground among the state's diverse regions. The county benefits from a balanced profile across multiple livability dimensions.

Health and affordability are standouts

Waseca excels in health (79.6) and overall cost affordability (76.4), with median rent at just $819 per month and median home values near $213,200. The county also demonstrates solid risk management (75.3) and maintains an effective tax rate of only 1.19%. These strengths make Waseca attractive for families prioritizing healthcare access and housing budgets.

Income growth remains a gap

The county's income score of 32.4 is notably low, reflecting a median household income of $75,052 that trails state and national benchmarks. This income-affordability disconnect suggests limited high-wage job opportunities within the county. Future development of better-paying sectors could strengthen Waseca's overall competitiveness.

Right for health-conscious budget seekers

Waseca County suits families and individuals who prioritize healthcare quality and affordable housing over high earning potential. This is an ideal fit for retirees, remote workers with stable out-of-state income, or professionals in healthcare and essential services. The county offers genuine livability at a lower cost than most U.S. regions, though wage-earners should verify local job market fit before relocating.

Score breakdown

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

Tax68.8Cost76.4SafetyComing SoonHealth79.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome32.4Risk75.3WaterComing Soon
🏛68.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠76.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼32.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤79.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡75.3
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

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

Counties with similar scores

Bullock County
Alabama
71.5
Median income: $36,723
Cherokee County
Alabama
71.5
Median income: $50,769
Bradley County
Arkansas
71.5
Median income: $39,565
Franklin County
Arkansas
71.5
Median income: $51,919
Fulton County
Arkansas
71.5
Median income: $38,941

Deep Dives

Waseca County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Waseca County

via TaxByCounty

Waseca taxes rank high nationally

Waseca County's effective tax rate of 1.190% significantly exceeds the national median of 0.968%, placing it well above the typical American county. The median property tax here is $2,537—close to the national median of $2,690—despite a median home value of $213,200 that's well below the national median of $281,900.

Among Minnesota's highest-taxed counties

Waseca's 1.190% effective rate ranks it as one of the most tax-heavy counties in Minnesota, substantially above the state average of 0.968%. The median annual tax bill of $2,537 exceeds the statewide median of $2,168 by 17%.

Waseca taxes outpace rural neighbors

Compared to surrounding counties, Waseca imposes notably steeper rates: Watonwan County (1.027%), Wilkin County (0.760%), and Yellow Medicine County (1.042%) all tax lower. Only Washington County to the east approaches Waseca's tax burden, with a 1.001% rate on much higher-value homes.

What typical Waseca homeowners pay

The typical Waseca homeowner with a $213,200 home pays approximately $2,537 annually in property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages may see slightly higher bills at $2,603 due to escrow requirements.

You might be overassessed

Many homeowners in high-tax counties like Waseca are paying more than they should due to assessment errors. If your property taxes seem steep, consider requesting a professional assessment review—thousands of appeals succeed each year.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Waseca County

via CostByCounty

Waseca rents remain below national benchmarks

At 13.1%, Waseca's rent-to-income ratio beats the national standard and undercuts Minnesota's state average of 14.5%. Renters here spend roughly $819 monthly on housing while earning a median household income of $75,052—nearly matching the U.S. median of $74,755.

More affordable than most Minnesota counties

Waseca ranks among Minnesota's more affordable housing markets, with renters paying $96 less per month than the state average of $915. The county's 13.1% rent-to-income ratio places it solidly in the affordable tier statewide.

Competitive with nearby rural counties

Waseca's $819 monthly rent sits between Watonwan County ($807) and Winona County ($866), offering moderate pricing in Minnesota's south-central region. Home values at $213,200 are reasonable for the area, positioning Waseca as a middle-ground option among rural neighbors.

Renters and buyers both find value

Renters dedicate 13.1% of income to monthly rent, while homeowners spend roughly 18.2% on mortgage and owner costs ($1,139 monthly). Together, these figures show Waseca's housing is genuinely affordable across both rental and ownership markets.

Consider Waseca for balanced affordability

If you're relocating to Minnesota and value lower housing costs without sacrificing income potential, Waseca delivers solid fundamentals: sub-14% rent ratios and median incomes near the national average. Compare Waseca's $819 rents to pricier neighbors like Washington County ($1,637) to see the savings potential.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Waseca County

via IncomeByCounty

Waseca's income matches the nation

Waseca County's median household income of $75,052 sits virtually even with the national median of $74,755—a rare perfect match. This means a typical Waseca household earns roughly the same as the average American family, placing the county right at the financial center of the country.

Just below Minnesota's middle ground

Waseca's median income falls slightly under Minnesota's state average of $75,757, ranking the county in the middle tier statewide. While not among the state's wealthiest counties, Waseca households earn more than several rural counterparts across Minnesota.

Outearning most rural neighbors

Waseca's $75,052 income leads nearby Watonwan County ($70,593) and Wilkin County ($69,635), but trails the Twin Cities' prosperity corridor represented by Washington County ($114,457). As a regional agricultural hub, Waseca performs solidly against fellow rural Minnesota counties.

Housing costs fit comfortably here

With a rent-to-income ratio of just 13.1%, Waseca households spend well below the 30% affordability threshold, leaving plenty of breathing room in household budgets. The median home value of $213,200 remains accessible relative to local incomes, supporting both renters and homeowners.

Build stability with smart planning

Waseca's stable, middle-of-the-road income provides a solid foundation for wealth building through consistent savings and investment. Consider working with a local financial advisor to develop a long-term strategy that turns your household's earnings into lasting family assets.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Waseca County

via HealthByCounty

Waseca lives slightly longer than average

Residents of Waseca County have a life expectancy of 79.3 years, slightly above the U.S. average of 78.9 years. The county's 14.3% poor or fair health rate is lower than the national benchmark of 16%, suggesting generally healthier daily functioning across the population.

Waseca outpaces Minnesota on longevity

At 79.3 years, Waseca's life expectancy edges past Minnesota's state average of 78.7 years by 0.6 years. The county ranks in the middle tier of Minnesota's 87 counties for overall health outcomes.

Healthier than rural peers

Waseca residents live longer than those in neighboring Watonwan County (79.0 years) and Yellow Medicine County (78.7 years), though Washington County significantly outpaces at 81.3 years. Waseca's 14.3% poor or fair health rate performs better than Watonwan's 17.6%.

Primary care access lags provider density

Just 5.6% of Waseca residents lack health insurance, matching the state average of 6.0%, but the county has only 26 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—below the state median. Mental health support is stronger, with 63 providers per 100,000.

Most Waseca residents have coverage

With an uninsured rate of 5.6%, most Waseca County residents already have health insurance. If you're among the uninsured, check MNsure.org or call 1-855-366-7873 to explore coverage options and subsidies.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Waseca County

via RiskByCounty

Waseca's risk stays well below average

Waseca County scores 24.68 on the composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating—less than half the national average. This places the county among the safer communities for natural disaster exposure across the United States.

Safest third of Minnesota counties

At 24.68, Waseca ranks significantly below Minnesota's 42.38 state average for composite risk. The county sits comfortably in the lower tier of disaster exposure statewide.

Safer than most surrounding areas

Waseca's 24.68 composite score beats neighboring Watonwan County (23.89) and substantially outperforms nearby Washington County (83.87). The county benefits from relatively moderate hazard profiles across most threat types.

Tornado threat tops Waseca's risks

Tornado risk scores highest at 47.11, though still below state norms, while flood risk (24.40) and wildfire risk (15.17) remain minimal. Earthquake exposure is negligible at 9.61.

Prepare for severe weather first

Homeowners should prioritize tornado and severe storm coverage, particularly given spring weather patterns. Standard homeowners insurance typically covers wind and hail damage; confirm your policy includes these protections.

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.