countyscore
53.8
County Score
Water Quality 86Disaster Risk 76.1Lawn Care 72.8

County Report Card

About Watonwan County, Minnesota

Comfortably Above the National Median

Watonwan County outperforms the national median of 50.0 with a composite score of 53.6. It offers a balanced profile that sits in the upper tiers of American counties for livability.

Keeping Pace with Minnesota Peers

The county score of 53.6 is slightly behind the Minnesota state average of 55.8. It remains highly competitive but faces pressure from neighboring counties with stronger educational metrics.

Environmental Stability and Safety

Stability is a major win here, evidenced by a risk score of 76.1 and a safety score of 63.5. Residents also enjoy respectable incomes and high water quality, which scores 86.0.

Improving Schools and Tax Rates

Education scores lag at 34.5, suggesting a need for more investment in local school systems. Additionally, the tax score of 36.2 indicates a burden that is higher than many high-performing peers.

A Solid Choice for Stability

Watonwan is ideal for budget-conscious households looking for environmental safety and community stability. It offers a solid, middle-of-the-road lifestyle for families and retirees alike.

2040608010032.156.163.563.734.56676.18646.6Tax32.1Cost56.1Safety63.5Health63.7Schools34.5Income66Risk76.1Water86Weather46.653.8/100
This county
National avg
4 above average2 below average

Watonwan County DNA

Foverall

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

Watonwan County scores above average across most dimensions. It's a well-balanced county with particular strength in Disaster Risk (76.1/100).

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
32.1-19.9
Cost
56.1+8.100000000000001
Safety
63.5+8.5
Health
63.7+13.700000000000003
Schools
34.5-19.5
Income
66+15
Risk
76.1+29.099999999999994
Water
86+28
Weather
46.6-9.399999999999999
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Think property taxes are too high in Watonwan County?

Many homeowners in Watonwan 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

$162,400

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$834/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$162,400/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$33,360/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.3x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $71,699/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

17.9

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

Brown County
Minnesota
60.7
Martin County
Minnesota
57.6
Cottonwood County
Minnesota
63.1
Nicollet County
Minnesota
53.8
Blue Earth County
Minnesota
41.5
Jackson County
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70.9
Emmet County
Iowa
59.9
Redwood County
Minnesota
62.2

Deep Dives

Watonwan County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Watonwan County

via TaxByCounty

Watonwan taxes exceed national average

Watonwan County's effective tax rate of 1.027% surpasses the national median of 0.968%, placing it above typical American counties. The median property tax of $1,557 is substantially lower than the national median of $2,690, reflecting the county's median home value of $151,600—well below the national median of $281,900.

Watonwan above average for Minnesota

Watonwan County's 1.027% effective rate exceeds Minnesota's state average of 0.968% by six percentage points. The median annual tax of $1,557 falls below the state median of $2,168, as county homes are typically valued well below the state average.

Watonwan taxes higher than Wilkin

Watonwan's 1.027% rate exceeds Wilkin County's notably low 0.760% and Winona County's 0.942%, but remains lower than Waseca County's 1.190% and Yellow Medicine County's 1.042%. The county's modest home values keep absolute tax bills among the region's lowest.

Typical Watonwan tax bills

The typical Watonwan homeowner with a $151,600 home pays approximately $1,557 annually in property taxes. Bills vary based on mortgage status: $1,854 with a mortgage versus $1,308 without.

Even modest homes merit appeals

Lower-valued properties are often overlooked in assessment reviews, but overvaluation can still occur and drain household budgets. Request a reassessment if your property was valued during a market peak or if recent sales nearby suggest your tax basis is inflated.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Watonwan County

via IncomeByCounty

Watonwan falls short nationally

Watonwan County's median household income of $70,593 falls 6% below the national median of $74,755, placing it below the American average. The typical Watonwan family earns roughly $4,160 less per year than a typical U.S. household.

Among Minnesota's lower-income counties

Watonwan's median income of $70,593 ranks below Minnesota's state average of $75,757, placing it in the lower half of Minnesota's 87 counties. The income gap of $5,164 reflects the economic challenges facing Minnesota's rural agricultural areas.

Faces stiffest rural income competition

Watonwan's $70,593 income trails all nearby counties—Waseca ($75,052), Wilkin ($69,635), and Winona ($70,198)—placing it among the region's most economically challenged. Only Wilkin County comes close, highlighting Watonwan's struggle against regional income trends.

Housing remains affordable locally

Watonwan's rent-to-income ratio of 13.7% stays comfortably below the 30% affordability standard, and the median home value of $151,600 remains one of the county's most accessible in Minnesota. Lower housing costs help stretch household budgets despite modest incomes.

Start small, build momentum steadily

While Watonwan incomes are modest, the county's affordable housing and living costs create opportunities for saving and gradual wealth building. Begin with automatic transfers to savings accounts and explore low-cost investment options designed for steady, long-term growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Watonwan County

via CrimeByCounty

Watonwan County Boasts Superior Safety

Watonwan County achieves an impressive 98.7 safety score, far exceeding national averages. The total crime rate of 847.8 per 100K is roughly one-third of the national figure.

Leading the State in Public Safety

The county's safety score of 98.7 ranks it above the Minnesota state average of 98.2. Two dedicated reporting agencies keep crime rates significantly lower than the state total average of 1123.5.

Safety Leader Among Regional Peers

Watonwan’s crime rate of 847.8 is lower than both Waseca and Wilkin counties. It remains one of the safest jurisdictions in its portion of the state.

Low Risk of Violent Incidents

Violent crime is very rare here, occurring at a rate of 124.9 per 100K residents. Property crime stands at 722.9, suggesting that most local issues are non-confrontational in nature.

Maintaining the 98.7 Safety Score

Keep your community safe by participating in local neighborhood watch programs and securing your home. Even in low-crime areas, simple precautions like deadbolts and alarms provide valuable protection.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Watonwan County

via WeatherByCounty

Watonwan's Place in the National Climate

Watonwan’s 45.4°F average temperature sits below the national median. This reflects a humid continental climate with significant seasonal variation and four distinct periods.

A Warm Pocket in Southern Minnesota

The county is notably warmer than the state average of 42.8°F. It ranks among the warmer southern tier counties in Minnesota due to its lower latitude.

Dampness Compared to Western Neighbors

The county receives 33.1 inches of precipitation annually. This makes it wetter than Yellow Medicine County to the west, which sees only 28.3 inches.

Deep Snow and Summer Spells

Residents face a winter average of 18.0°F and 50.3 inches of snow. July brings heat, with 12 days typically reaching 90°F or above.

Preparing for the Watonwan Elements

Efficient heating is a priority for the 14.3°F January lows. Residents should also maintain heavy-duty snow blowers for the 50.3-inch annual average.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Watonwan County

via SoilByCounty

Alkaline Soils for Stable Growth

Watonwan County features slightly alkaline soil with an average pH of 6.96. This is higher than both the national median of 6.5 and the state average of 6.21.

Balanced Particle Distribution

The soil mix consists of 40.1% sand, 36.1% silt, and 21.8% clay. This balanced composition offers a good blend of drainage and structural integrity for local farming.

Reliable Organic Matter Resources

Organic matter content is 6.23%, which is below the state average of 9.90% but well above the national 2.0% mark. Available water capacity is 0.187 in/in, sitting just below the state benchmark of 0.199.

Consistent Moisture Management

Specific drainage and taxonomic classifications are not currently available for this area. The sand and clay balance suggests a soil that drains moderately well without drying out too fast for crops.

Planting Success in Zone 5a

Growing in Zone 5a allows for a long season for a wide variety of vegetables and flowers. A soil score of 70.3 means you have reliable, high-quality earth for your next planting project.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Watonwan County

via LawnByCounty

Consistent Success in Watonwan

Watonwan County scores a 72.8 on the lawn difficulty scale, placing it well above the state average of 63.9. This Zone 5a region offers a hospitable climate that balances decent rainfall with a manageable growing season.

Moderate Heat and Healthy Rains

Lawns benefit from 33.1 inches of annual rainfall and 2,735 growing degree days. Although the 12 extreme heat days are slightly higher than the state average of 8, the moisture levels are usually sufficient to prevent severe turf scorch.

Balanced Soils for Strong Roots

The soil pH of 6.96 is nearly perfect, sitting at the top of the preferred 6.0 to 7.0 range for most grasses. A composition of 40.1% sand and 21.8% clay creates a versatile medium that supports both nutrient retention and root aeration.

Managing Abnormally Dry Conditions

The county spent 6 weeks in drought over the last year, and currently, 100% of the area is classified as abnormally dry. Residents should practice deep, infrequent watering to encourage deep root systems during these periods of limited moisture.

Ready for Spring Seeding

Target the window between April 30th and October 7th for the best results with Kentucky Bluegrass or tall fescue. Despite the current dry spell, the high 72.8 score suggests that well-timed planting will lead to a resilient lawn.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Watonwan County's county score?
Watonwan County, Minnesota has a composite county score of 53.8 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 Watonwan County rank among counties in Minnesota?
Watonwan County ranks #50 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 Watonwan County, Minnesota?
The median annual property tax in Watonwan County is $1,700, with an effective tax rate of 1.05%. This earns Watonwan County a tax score of 32.1/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Watonwan County?
The median household income in Watonwan County, Minnesota is $71,699 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Watonwan County earns an income score of 66/100 on CountyScore.
Is Watonwan County, Minnesota a good place to live?
Watonwan County scores 53.8/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #50 in Minnesota. The best way to evaluate Watonwan 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 Watonwan 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.