Cottonwood
Minnesota

What stands out

What stands out about Cottonwood County: the school test score is in the top 4% of American counties (3.50 where 3.0 is grade level), the average commute is in the bottom 5% of American counties (15 minutes), and home internet speed is in the bottom 5% of American counties (70 Mbps). Within Minnesota it ranks 17th of 87 counties for the school test score.

Where you are

You live in Cottonwood County, Minnesota. 11,481 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.6% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -39).

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 $63,586 a year, higher than 59% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $49,092. Unemployment runs 2.8%, lower than 72% of American counties. 9% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 15 minutes each way.

Minnesota takes 6.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,841 a year.

Home

The median home costs $164K, cheaper than 78% of American counties, about 1.7 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $683 a month. Property tax is 1.12% of home value, roughly $1,586 a year on that median home, higher than 68% of American counties. 77% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.3 per 1,000 residents, lower than 82% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 8 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 77.9 years, longer than 74% of American counties. There are 9 active physicians in the county, about 7.8 per 10,000 people. 7.3% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.39 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 96% of American counties. 91% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 16 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 47°F, highs near 58 and lows near 37, colder than 83% of American counties. About 27 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 45 out of 100, safer than 55% of American counties; the county has had 17 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 70 Mbps down, slower than 95% of American counties. There are 4 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.