Dodge
Minnesota

What stands out

Against every county in America, Dodge County is unusual in three ways: homeownership is among the highest in America (87%), violent crime is in the bottom 3% of American counties (2.8 per 1,000), and high-school completion is in the top 4% of American counties (96%). Within Minnesota it ranks 1st of 87 counties for homeownership.

Where you are

You live in Dodge County, Minnesota. 20,893 people live here with you. The population grew 0.5% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -38).

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 $92,890 a year, higher than 95% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $61,269. Unemployment runs 2.7%, lower than 77% of American counties. 10% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 23 minutes each way.

Minnesota takes 6.3% of that median income in state income tax, about $5,834 a year.

Home

The median home costs $332K, pricier than 76% of American counties, about 2.3 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $938 a month. Property tax is 1.10% of home value, roughly $2,705 a year on that median home, higher than 66% of American counties. 87% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 2.8 per 1,000 residents, lower than 97% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 9 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 80.8 years, longer than 94% of American counties. There are 17 active physicians in the county, about 8.1 per 10,000 people. 5.9% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.24 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 86% of American counties. 96% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 17 points. 81% 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 56 and lows near 36, colder than 88% of American counties. About 35 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 30 out of 100, safer than 70% of American counties; the county has had 16 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 169 Mbps down, slower than 64% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.5 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery, 3 museums.