Benton
Minnesota

What stands out

Three things set Benton County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the restaurant count per person is in the bottom 5% of American counties (0.3 per 1,000), the average temperature is in the bottom 7% of American counties (44°F), and the uninsured rate is in the bottom 12% of American counties (6.2%). Within Minnesota it ranks 1st of 86 counties for the restaurant count per person, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Benton County, Minnesota. 41,300 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.2% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -115).

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 $70,346 a year, higher than 75% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $55,955. Unemployment runs 3.4%, higher than 51% of American counties. 6% of workers work from home.

Minnesota takes 6.1% of that median income in state income tax, about $4,301 a year.

Home

The median home costs $314K, pricier than 72% of American counties, about 2.5 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $915 a month. Property tax is 1.07% of home value, roughly $2,446 a year on that median home, higher than 65% of American counties. 66% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.2 per 1,000 residents, lower than 85% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 9 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 77.7 years, longer than 72% of American counties. There are 30 active physicians in the county, about 7.3 per 10,000 people. 6.2% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.14 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 82% of American counties. 92% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 21 points. 76% 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 44°F, highs near 54 and lows near 34, colder than 93% of American counties. About 28 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 55 out of 100, riskier than 55% of American counties; the county has had 13 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 204 Mbps down, faster than 52% of American counties. For a night or a weekend out: 0.3 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery.