CountyScore

Wilkin County

Minnesota · MN

#1 in Minnesota
78.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Wilkin County, Minnesota

Wilkin ranks among nation's best

Wilkin County's composite score of 78.1 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 56th percentile nationally. This is among the highest-performing counties in the United States for overall livability, outranking approximately 5 in 6 American counties. Wilkin demonstrates particularly impressive performance in cost and risk dimensions.

Minnesota's livability leader

Wilkin County's 78.1 score ranks it well above Minnesota's state average of 70.9, making it one of the state's top performers. Among Minnesota's 87 counties, Wilkin stands out as a genuine livability success story. The county's strength lies in its combination of affordability, tax efficiency, and low-risk environment.

Exceptional affordability and stability

Wilkin County delivers industry-leading affordability with a cost score of 84.8, median rent at just $561 per month, and median home values of $172,300. The county boasts Minnesota's lowest effective tax rate at 0.76% and an outstanding risk score of 94.7—the highest in the seven-county set, indicating exceptional resilience. Health outcomes (77.1) round out a strong overall profile.

Income opportunities lag significantly

Wilkin's income score of 28.8 is among the lowest, with median household income of just $69,635. This reflects limited availability of high-wage employment sectors in this rural county. Prospective residents without remote work or retirement income should carefully assess local job market fit before committing.

Perfect for budget-minded rural dwellers

Wilkin County is ideal for retirees, remote workers, and families prioritizing maximum affordability with minimal risk exposure. The combination of rock-bottom housing costs, lowest-in-state tax burden, and exceptional stability makes it a financial haven for those not dependent on local wages. This is the go-to county for anyone seeking genuine rural livability without compromise on safety or services.

Score breakdown

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

Tax80.9Cost84.8SafetyComing SoonHealth77.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome28.8Risk94.7WaterComing Soon
🏛80.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼28.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤77.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡94.7
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 Wilkin County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Jerauld County
South Dakota
78.1
Median income: $75,417
Ouray County
Colorado
78
Median income: $84,556
Warren County
Indiana
78
Median income: $74,635
Jones County
South Dakota
78
Median income: $64,688
San Juan County
Colorado
78.2
Median income: $73,889

Deep Dives

Wilkin County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Wilkin County

via TaxByCounty

Wilkin County taxes lowest nationally

Wilkin County's effective tax rate of 0.760% falls well below the national median of 0.968%, making it one of America's most tax-friendly counties. The median property tax of $1,310 is barely half the national median of $2,690, and the median home value of $172,300 is 39% lower than the national median of $281,900.

Wilkin County Minnesota's tax bargain

Wilkin County's 0.760% effective rate is the lowest among Minnesota counties surveyed, substantially below the state average of 0.968%. The median annual tax of $1,310 is less than 60% of the state median of $2,168, making it exceptionally affordable.

Wilkin's tax advantage is real

Wilkin County's 0.760% rate dramatically undercuts all regional neighbors: Watonwan (1.027%), Yellow Medicine (1.042%), Waseca (1.190%), and Winona (0.942%). Even compared to relatively affordable Winona, Wilkin residents pay roughly $800 less annually in taxes on comparable homes.

Wilkin residents pay minimal taxes

The typical Wilkin County homeowner with a $172,300 home pays approximately $1,310 annually in property taxes. Bills remain stable regardless of mortgage status: $1,306 with a mortgage and $1,320 without.

Low rates don't eliminate appeals

Even in tax-friendly Wilkin County, assessment errors happen and can inflate your bill. If your property was overvalued or recently sold for far less than your assessed value, an appeal could save you hundreds annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Wilkin County

via CostByCounty

Wilkin County sets the affordability bar

At just 9.7%, Wilkin's rent-to-income ratio is the lowest among these seven Minnesota counties and significantly undercuts the state average of 14.5%. Renters here spend only $561 monthly—a remarkable 39% below the state average rent of $915.

Minnesota's most affordable rental market

Wilkin County ranks among Minnesota's very most affordable counties with a 9.7% rent-to-income ratio and just $561 in monthly rent. This exceptional affordability reflects Wilkin's rural character and strong local wage stability.

Unmatched affordability in the region

Wilkin's $561 monthly rent is the lowest among all comparable counties—40% cheaper than Watonwan ($807) and 75% less than Washington County ($1,637). Home values at $172,300 also undercut most regional peers, making Wilkin a true affordability outlier.

Minimal housing cost burden for all

Renters allocate just 9.7% of income to rent, while homeowners spend roughly 15.6% on monthly owner costs ($907). Wilkin demonstrates that affordable housing is achievable even in rural Minnesota through genuine wage-to-cost alignment.

Wilkin is Minnesota's affordability champion

If maximum affordability is your goal, Wilkin County delivers: rents at just $561 monthly and a 9.7% rent-to-income ratio unmatched in the state. Trade metro amenities for genuine financial breathing room and compare Wilkin's costs to any Minnesota alternative.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Wilkin County

via IncomeByCounty

Wilkin trails the national average

Wilkin County's median household income of $69,635 sits 7% below the national median of $74,755, marking a modest income gap. The typical Wilkin family earns about $5,120 annually less than the average American household.

Minnesota's most affordable income county

Wilkin's median income of $69,635 ranks among Minnesota's lowest, falling $6,122 below the state average of $75,757. Yet this income level pairs with some of the state's lowest living costs, creating relative purchasing power.

Competitive with other rural areas

Wilkin's $69,635 income edges out Watonwan County ($70,593) and Winona County ($70,198), marking it as a regional peer to other agricultural Minnesota counties. All three rural neighbors cluster within just $1,000 of each other.

Best housing affordability in region

Wilkin County's rent-to-income ratio of just 9.7%—the lowest among comparison counties—means housing consumes minimal household income. The median home value of $172,300 combined with modest incomes creates exceptional affordability for both renters and buyers.

Your cost advantage is your strength

Wilkin's ultra-low housing burden (9.7% of income) frees up capital for savings and investment that other regions can't match. Maximize this advantage by directing your housing savings into emergency funds, education, or long-term wealth vehicles.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Wilkin County

via HealthByCounty

Wilkin faces significant longevity challenge

At 75.6 years, Wilkin County's life expectancy is 3.3 years below the U.S. average of 78.9 years—one of the lowest in Minnesota. With 15.2% reporting poor or fair health, the county reflects broader rural health challenges.

Shortest lifespan in Minnesota cohort

Wilkin County's 75.6-year life expectancy ranks significantly below Minnesota's 78.7-year average, marking it as one of the state's lowest-performing counties for longevity. The county faces considerable health equity challenges compared to state benchmarks.

Substantially healthier neighbors surround

Residents of Wilkin live about 4 years shorter than those in neighboring Wright (80.0 years) and Winona (80.2 years) counties, and 3.4 years shorter than Waseca (79.3 years). Even Yellow Medicine County residents live 3.1 years longer.

Limited primary care, stronger mental health access

Wilkin County's uninsured rate of 4.1% is relatively low, but the county has just 31 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—below most peers. Mental health support is notably strong at 270 providers per 100,000, suggesting investments in behavioral health.

Ensure continuous healthcare coverage

Although Wilkin's uninsured rate is modest at 4.1%, maintaining continuous coverage is vital given the county's health challenges. Verify your coverage annually at MNsure.org or call 1-855-366-7873.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Wilkin County

via RiskByCounty

Wilkin County is Minnesota's safest

Wilkin County scores just 5.34 with a Very Low rating—roughly 25 times lower than the national average. This remote northwest county represents one of the safest natural disaster exposure profiles in the United States.

Lowest risk score in Minnesota

Wilkin's 5.34 composite score is 88% below Minnesota's 42.38 state average, ranking it the safest county statewide by a substantial margin. Rural location and distance from major population centers drive this exceptional profile.

Wilkin stands apart in the region

Wilkin (5.34) is dramatically safer than neighboring Yellow Medicine County (29.96) and distant Washington County (83.87). The county's remote northwest position shields it from many regional hazard concentrations.

Wildfire edges out other minor risks

Wildfire risk (19.94) represents Wilkin's highest exposure, though still modest, while tornado risk (19.18) and flood risk (12.56) remain minimal. Earthquake exposure is negligible at just 3.05.

Basic insurance coverage is sufficient

Wilkin County residents can rely on standard homeowners insurance without specialized riders or premium coverage. Annual policy reviews remain prudent, but the county's exceptionally low risk profile means residents face minimal natural disaster exposure.

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.