Your life in Houston County, Minnesota

What stands out

What stands out about Houston County: violent crime is in the bottom 4% of American counties (2.9 per 1,000), life expectancy is in the top 4% of American counties (81.4 years), and the uninsured rate is in the bottom 6% of American counties (5.5%). Within Minnesota it ranks 14th of 87 counties for violent crime, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Houston County, Minnesota. 18,826 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.8% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -11).

Minnesota has a graduated income tax that reaches 9.85%, taxes Social Security above income thresholds, and has an estate tax with a $3 million exemption. In exchange it ranks near the top in health outcomes, school results and household income, and the Twin Cities metro holds more Fortune 500 headquarters per capita than any other. Winters are long and cold.

Money

The typical household here brings in $71,580 a year, higher than 77% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $47,489. Unemployment runs 2.3%, lower than 90% of American counties. 10% of workers work from home.

Minnesota takes 6.1% of that median income in state income tax, about $4,384 a year.

Home

The median home costs $325K, pricier than 75% of American counties, about 2.3 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $878 a month. Property tax is 1.15% of home value, roughly $2,486 a year on that median home, higher than 70% of American counties. 83% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 2.9 per 1,000 residents, lower than 96% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 11 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 81.4 years, longer than 96% of American counties. There are 34 active physicians in the county, about 18.1 per 10,000 people. 5.5% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.38 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 94% of American counties. 95% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 11 points. 79% of eligible voters turned out. Under Minnesota law you can get a concealed-carry permit on request, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 47°F, highs near 57 and lows near 37, colder than 85% of American counties. About 34 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 34 out of 100, safer than 66% of American counties; the county has had 21 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 153 Mbps down, slower than 70% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.

Where these numbers come from

• BLS QCEW 2024
• CDC 2024
• CMS 2024
• Census 2023
• Census ACS
• Census ACS 2022
• Census Population Estimates 2023
• Census SAHIE 2024
• County Health Rankings 2024
• Derived from ACS 2022 home value / household income
• FAA Airport Database
• FEMA Disaster Declarations 1953–2026
• FEMA National Risk Index 2023 (0–100, all hazards)
• HRSA Area Health Resources File 2023
• IMLS
• NOAA Climate Normals
• National Park Service
• Ookla Speedtest Intelligence
• Open Brewery DB
• OpenElections 2024
• SEDA via County Health Rankings 2024 (3.0 = at grade level; not a Z-score)
• Tax Foundation 2023
• USDA Food Environment Atlas
• Zillow ZHVI 2024
• Minnesota tax and law data: state revenue department, Tax Foundation, Giffords, Guttmacher (2026)

Percentiles compare this county with every other county that reports the same figure. Missing figures are left out rather than guessed. Share this page: the address is permanent.