countyscore
47.5
County Score
Health 89.7Lawn Care 83.8Soil Quality 80.9

County Report Card

About Winona County, Minnesota

Near the National Median Score

With a 48.0 composite score, Winona County falls just short of the 50.0 national median. While it excels in health, lower scores in safety and risk pull down the overall average.

Challenges in the State Ranking

Winona trails the Minnesota state average of 55.8. It faces significant challenges in keeping pace with the state's top-tier rural and suburban counties regarding safety and environmental risk.

Strong Health and Income Base

Health is the county's crown jewel, earning a high score of 89.7. Residents also benefit from a solid income score of 66.9, supported by a median household income of $70,198.

Safety and Risk Concerns

Safety and risk scores are the primary areas for improvement, coming in at 32.9 and 30.5 respectively. These figures suggest that environmental hazards and crime rates are significant local factors.

Best for Health-Focused Individuals

Winona is a good fit for individuals who value strong healthcare infrastructure and a stable income base. New residents should be mindful of the environmental and safety trade-offs.

2040608010041.236.132.989.742.363.730.558.651.1Tax41.2Cost36.1Safety32.9Health89.7Schools42.3Income63.7Risk30.5Water58.6Weather51.147.5/100
This county
National avg
2 above average5 below average

Winona County DNA

Foverall

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

Winona County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Health (89.7/100) but notably weak in Safety (32.9/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
41.2-10.799999999999997
Cost
36.1-11.899999999999999
Safety
32.9-22.1
Health
89.7+39.7
Schools
42.3-11.700000000000003
Income
63.7+12.700000000000003
Risk
30.5-16.5
Water
58.6
Weather
51.1
Sponsored

Compare mortgage rates in Winona County

Whether buying or refinancing in Winona County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

See Today's Rates

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$235,400

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$907/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$235,400/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$36,280/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.3x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $70,744/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

2.0

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Deep Dives

Winona County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Winona County

via TaxByCounty

Winona taxes below national average

Winona County's effective tax rate of 0.942% falls slightly below the national median of 0.968%, making it a relatively affordable tax jurisdiction. The median property tax of $2,099 is about 22% lower than the national median of $2,690, while the median home value of $222,900 is 21% below the national median of $281,900.

Winona near Minnesota average

Winona County's 0.942% effective rate falls just below Minnesota's state average of 0.968%, making it a moderate-tax county. The median annual tax of $2,099 is roughly 3% below the statewide median of $2,168.

Winona offers middle-ground taxes

Winona's 0.942% rate sits between Wilkin County's low 0.760% and Watonwan County's higher 1.027%. Compared to higher-tax counties like Waseca (1.190%) and Yellow Medicine (1.042%), Winona residents enjoy notably lighter property tax burdens.

Typical Winona property tax costs

The typical Winona homeowner with a $222,900 home pays approximately $2,099 annually in property taxes. Tax bills are remarkably consistent: $2,086 with a mortgage and $2,119 without.

Even moderate rates warrant review

Winona County's reasonable tax rate doesn't mean every assessment is accurate. If you believe your property is overvalued relative to recent local sales, filing an appeal costs nothing and succeeds far more often than most homeowners realize.

Income & Jobs in Winona County

via IncomeByCounty

Winona lags national income levels

Winona County's median household income of $70,198 falls 6% shy of the national median of $74,755, placing it modestly below the U.S. average. The typical Winona family earns approximately $4,557 less than the average American household annually.

Below Minnesota's average earnings

Winona's median income of $70,198 trails Minnesota's state average of $75,757 by about $5,559, ranking the county among the lower-income communities statewide. Yet Winona performs better than several other rural Minnesota counties facing similar agricultural economic pressures.

Part of Minnesota's rural income cluster

Winona's $70,198 income sits between Watonwan County ($70,593) and Wilkin County ($69,635), reflecting the tight economic band of southeastern Minnesota's rural communities. All three counties hover within a narrow $1,300 range.

Housing takes larger bite here

Winona's rent-to-income ratio of 14.8% is among the higher ratios regionally, suggesting housing costs are climbing relative to local incomes. The median home value of $222,900 creates affordability pressure compared to nearby, lower-income rural counties.

Education and skills build earnings

With moderate household incomes, Winona residents can strengthen financial futures through skill development and education that boost earning potential. Explore low-cost training programs or college pathways that align with regional job opportunities in healthcare and education.

Safety in Winona County

via CrimeByCounty

Winona County Maintains Strong Security

Winona County earns a 97.5 safety score, indicating a secure community environment. Its total crime rate of 1574.6 per 100K remains well below the national average of 2385.5.

Local Safety vs. State Average

The safety score of 97.5 is slightly below the Minnesota state average of 98.2. Five reporting agencies work to manage crime rates, which are higher than the state average of 1123.5.

Comparing Winona to Nearby Counties

Winona’s crime rate of 1574.6 is higher than Washington County’s 1510.9. However, it still offers a safer environment than many national peers of similar size.

Understanding the Crime Mix

Violent crime is very low at 110.5 per 100K, significantly safer than the national rate. Property crime is the primary concern, accounting for 1464.1 incidents per 100K people.

Proactive Home Security Tips

Since property crime is the most common issue, focused home security is highly effective. Use smart lighting and cameras to protect your residence and help keep neighborhood crime rates low.

Weather & Climate in Winona County

via WeatherByCounty

Winona's Mild Standing in America

Winona’s 47.3°F average is cool by national standards but warm for the Upper Midwest. It experiences a classic continental climate moderated slightly by the Mississippi River valley.

Leading the State in Warmth

The county is one of Minnesota's warmest, averaging 4.5 degrees higher than the state mean. It consistently ranks in the top tier for temperature among the 87 counties.

The Wettest of the Region

With 35.9 inches of annual precipitation, Winona is wetter than Watonwan's 33.1 inches. This moisture supports the lush vegetation found along the river bluffs.

Short Winters and Humid July Days

Snowfall is lighter here at 38.5 inches compared to many neighbors. However, July averages 73.5°F and brings 11 days of extreme heat.

Home Maintenance in the Valley

Homeowners should prioritize basement waterproofing for the 35.9 inches of annual rain. Reliable air conditioning is necessary to manage the 11 days of 90-degree heat.

Soil Quality in Winona County

via SoilByCounty

Balanced pH in the Valley

Winona’s soil is exceptionally balanced, posting a pH of 6.47 which is almost identical to the national median of 6.5. This level is slightly less acidic than the state average of 6.21, providing a neutral home for many plants.

High Silt, Smooth Texture

Silt dominates the landscape at 54.1%, paired with 28.1% sand and 17.8% clay. This high-silt profile creates a smooth texture that is highly fertile but prone to erosion on slopes.

Superb Water Retention

Organic matter is low for Minnesota at 3.37%, though it stays above the national 2.0% average. However, the available water capacity is impressive at 0.204 in/in, beating the state average of 0.199.

Efficient Water Storage

Drainage and hydrologic data are currently unclassified for the county. The high silt content and water capacity suggest the ground stays moist longer than the sandier soils found elsewhere in the state.

Valley Gardening in Zone 4b

Situated in Zone 4b, this region is famous for its productive river valley agriculture. A soil score of 80.9 indicates high potential, so grab a trowel and start planting your favorite perennials.

Lawn Care in Winona County

via LawnByCounty

Prime Growing Conditions in the Southeast

Winona County is a premier spot for lawn care with an exceptional difficulty score of 83.8. This Hardiness Zone 4b region benefits from abundant moisture and a very favorable growing environment compared to the state average.

High Rainfall and Extended Growth

With 35.9 inches of annual precipitation, local lawns receive more water than the state average of 30.0 inches. The 2,920 growing degree days provide plenty of thermal energy for thick turf, even with 11 days of extreme heat.

Ideal pH for Nutrient Uptake

The soil pH of 6.47 is perfectly situated within the 6.0-7.0 ideal range for most turf species. With 17.8% clay and 28.1% sand, the soil structure is balanced enough to support healthy roots without frequent amendment.

Reliable Moisture Throughout the Year

Winona spent only 5 weeks in drought over the past year and currently has zero abnormally dry areas. This consistent moisture access makes Winona one of the most resilient counties in Minnesota for maintaining a green landscape.

A Long Window for Perfect Turf

The generous growing season runs from April 23rd all the way to October 19th. This nearly six-month window is the ideal time to seed Kentucky Bluegrass or perennial ryegrass for a thick, vibrant lawn.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Winona County's county score?
Winona County, Minnesota has a composite county score of 47.5 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 Winona County rank among counties in Minnesota?
Winona County ranks #67 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 Winona County, Minnesota?
The median annual property tax in Winona County is $2,180, with an effective tax rate of 0.93%. This earns Winona County a tax score of 41.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Winona County?
The median household income in Winona County, Minnesota is $70,744 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Winona County earns an income score of 63.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Winona County, Minnesota a good place to live?
Winona County scores 47.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #67 in Minnesota. The best way to evaluate Winona 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 Winona County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

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