Big Stone
Minnesota

What stands out

Against every county in America, Big Stone County is unusual in three ways: the overdose death rate is among the lowest in America (-999 per 100,000), home internet speed is in the top 4% of American counties (303 Mbps), and the home price against local income is in the bottom 7% of American counties (1.4 years of income). Within Minnesota it ranks 4th of 87 counties for the overdose death rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Big Stone County, Minnesota. 5,161 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 0.8% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -23).

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 $63,024 a year, higher than 57% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $53,377. Unemployment runs 3.3%, lower than 56% of American counties. 8% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 17 minutes each way.

Minnesota takes 6.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,803 a year.

Home

The median home costs $202K, cheaper than 62% of American counties, about 1.4 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $720 a month. Property tax is 0.88% of home value, roughly $1,006 a year on that median home, higher than 51% of American counties. 76% 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.

A child born here can expect to live 78.0 years, longer than 75% of American counties. There are 12 active physicians in the county, about 23.3 per 10,000 people. 5.7% 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 90% of American counties. 93% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 10 points. 77% 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 46°F, highs near 57 and lows near 34, colder than 90% of American counties. About 30 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 7 out of 100, safer than 93% of American counties; the county has had 20 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 303 Mbps down, faster than 96% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.2 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.