Winona County's composite score of 69.5 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by nearly 40 percent, placing it in the 39th percentile nationally. This positions Winona among the more livable U.S. counties, offering better overall livability than roughly 4 in 5 American regions. The score reflects balanced strengths in health, affordability, and tax efficiency.
2 / 5
Slightly below Minnesota baseline
With a score of 69.5, Winona trails Minnesota's state average of 70.9 by a narrow margin. The county ranks as a solid middle performer within its home state's diverse county landscape. Winona's profile is stable across measured dimensions, with no extreme outliers in either direction.
3 / 5
Healthcare and housing affordability shine
Winona excels in health (80.0), indicating strong healthcare access and quality—a standout dimension for the county. Cost affordability is also competitive (76.6) with median rent at $866 per month and median home values at $222,900. The county maintains a favorable tax rate of 0.94%, supporting household budgets effectively.
4 / 5
Income and risk require attention
Winona's income score of just 29.2 reflects limited wage opportunities, with median household income at $70,198. More significantly, the risk score of 30.5 is the county's lowest dimension, suggesting elevated exposure to hazards—such as flooding or environmental risks—that warrant careful neighborhood assessment. These factors offset the county's other strengths.
5 / 5
Best for health-focused, risk-aware families
Winona County suits families and retirees prioritizing excellent healthcare access and reasonable housing costs in a balanced community. The county works well for remote workers and those with out-of-state income who want good medical infrastructure. Prospective residents should thoroughly investigate neighborhood-specific risk profiles, particularly regarding flood exposure and environmental hazards, before committing to a move.
Winona County's composite score of 69.5 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by nearly 40 percent, placing it in the 39th percentile nationally. This positions Winona among the more livable U.S. counties, offering better overall livability than roughly 4 in 5 American regions. The score reflects balanced strengths in health, affordability, and tax efficiency.
Slightly below Minnesota baseline
With a score of 69.5, Winona trails Minnesota's state average of 70.9 by a narrow margin. The county ranks as a solid middle performer within its home state's diverse county landscape. Winona's profile is stable across measured dimensions, with no extreme outliers in either direction.
Healthcare and housing affordability shine
Winona excels in health (80.0), indicating strong healthcare access and quality—a standout dimension for the county. Cost affordability is also competitive (76.6) with median rent at $866 per month and median home values at $222,900. The county maintains a favorable tax rate of 0.94%, supporting household budgets effectively.
Income and risk require attention
Winona's income score of just 29.2 reflects limited wage opportunities, with median household income at $70,198. More significantly, the risk score of 30.5 is the county's lowest dimension, suggesting elevated exposure to hazards—such as flooding or environmental risks—that warrant careful neighborhood assessment. These factors offset the county's other strengths.
Best for health-focused, risk-aware families
Winona County suits families and retirees prioritizing excellent healthcare access and reasonable housing costs in a balanced community. The county works well for remote workers and those with out-of-state income who want good medical infrastructure. Prospective residents should thoroughly investigate neighborhood-specific risk profiles, particularly regarding flood exposure and environmental hazards, before committing to a move.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛75.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
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.
At 14.8%, Winona's rent-to-income ratio marginally tops Minnesota's 14.5% average and reflects modest housing pressure. Monthly rents of $866 run about $49 below the state average of $915, offering reasonable affordability despite the slightly elevated ratio.
Mid-tier affordability for Minnesota residents
Winona ranks in the middle tier of Minnesota counties for housing affordability, with a 14.8% rent-to-income ratio just slightly above state average. The county's $866 monthly rent provides genuine value compared to metro-area prices.
Moderate pricing in south-central Minnesota
Winona's $866 monthly rent sits near Waseca ($819) and above Watonwan ($807), positioning it as moderately priced in the region. Home values at $222,900 reflect a working-class county with reasonable entry points for first-time buyers.
Stable housing burden across tenure types
Renters spend 14.8% of income on housing, while homeowners allocate roughly 18.2% to monthly owner costs ($1,068). Winona's slight rent-income squeeze is balanced by solid wage levels and reasonable home prices.
Winona offers balanced affordability and opportunity
Considering Winona? You'll find near-state-average housing costs ($866 rent) paired with reasonable home prices ($222,900 median) and decent earning potential. Compare Winona's 14.8% rent ratio to pricier Washington County (17.2%) to see your savings potential.
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.
Winona County residents live to 80.2 years on average—1.3 years longer than the U.S. average of 78.9 years. The county's 14.6% poor or fair health rate is lower than the national 16%, indicating relatively good population health.
Above-average longevity for Minnesota
At 80.2 years, Winona's life expectancy exceeds Minnesota's state average of 78.7 years by 1.5 years. The county ranks in the upper tier of Minnesota's 87 counties on overall health outcomes.
Strong health relative to rural peers
Winona residents live longer than those in Waseca (79.3 years), Yellow Medicine (78.7 years), and Wilkin (75.6 years), though Washington County significantly outpaces at 81.3 years. Winona's 14.6% poor or fair health rate performs better than Watonwan's 17.6%.
Good coverage, solid provider infrastructure
Winona's uninsured rate of 5.6% matches the state average of 6.0%, with 36 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and a strong 251 mental health providers per 100,000. The county balances reasonable access with community health investments.
Keep coverage in place and current
With an uninsured rate of 5.6%, most Winona residents have health insurance. Renew coverage annually or explore options at MNsure.org and 1-855-366-7873 if you need assistance.
Winona County scores 69.47 with a Relatively Low rating, significantly above the national average for composite disaster exposure. The county's bluff and river geography creates concentrated hazard vulnerability.
Among Minnesota's riskier counties
Winona's 69.47 score exceeds Minnesota's 42.38 state average by 64%, placing it in the upper tier of statewide risk exposure. Geographic position in the southeastern corner contributes substantially to flood and tornado vulnerability.
Winona rivals Wright County's exposure
Winona (69.47) and Wright County (68.42) sit in Minnesota's elevated-risk cohort, substantially outpacing safer neighbors like Waseca (24.68) and Watonwan (23.89). Regional geography pushes both counties toward higher composite scores.
Flood and tornado dominate threats
Flood risk (78.82) and tornado risk (76.05) rank among Minnesota's highest, reflecting Winona's position in bluff country along the Mississippi River. Wildfire exposure remains minimal at 16.83, and the county faces zero hurricane risk.
Flood and storm insurance are critical
Winona homeowners must prioritize flood insurance given the 78.82 flood risk score—standard policies rarely cover flood damage. Ensure robust tornado and severe storm coverage in your homeowners policy, particularly if near riverine or low-lying areas.