Lac qui Parle
Minnesota

What stands out

Against every county in America, Lac qui Parle County is unusual in three ways: the school test score is among the highest in America (3.71 where 3.0 is grade level), the overdose death rate is in the bottom 4% of American counties (0 per 100,000), and the uninsured rate is in the bottom 4% of American counties (5.2%). Within Minnesota it ranks 3rd of 87 counties for the school test score.

Where you are

You live in Lac qui Parle County, Minnesota. 6,736 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 0.4% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +20).

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 $66,967 a year, higher than 68% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $47,748. Unemployment runs 2.7%, lower than 76% of American counties. 13% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 15 minutes each way.

Minnesota takes 6.1% of that median income in state income tax, about $4,071 a year.

Home

The median home costs $217K, cheaper than 57% of American counties, about 1.5 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $675 a month. Property tax is 0.97% of home value, roughly $1,241 a year on that median home, higher than 58% of American counties. 83% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.1 per 1,000 residents, lower than 87% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 80.2 years, longer than 92% of American counties. There are 8 active physicians in the county, about 11.9 per 10,000 people. 5.2% 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 almost every county in America. 94% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 7 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 35, colder than 88% of American counties. About 32 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 15 out of 100, safer than 85% of American counties; the county has had 21 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 130 Mbps down, slower than 78% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.9 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.