Lake
Minnesota

What stands out

If you had to describe Lake County in numbers, start here: the average temperature is among the coldest in America (38°F), natural-hazard risk is in the bottom 2% of American counties (2 of 100), and violent crime is in the bottom 6% of American counties (3.0 per 1,000). Within Minnesota it ranks 2nd of 87 counties for the average temperature, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Lake County, Minnesota. 10,915 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.5% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +30).

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 $73,860 a year, higher than 81% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $54,467. Unemployment runs 5.0%, higher than 89% of American counties. 11% of workers work from home.

Minnesota takes 6.1% of that median income in state income tax, about $4,539 a year.

Home

The median home costs $283K, pricier than 65% of American counties, about 2.2 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,081 a month. Property tax is 0.79% of home value, roughly $1,590 a year on that median home, lower than 56% of American counties. 83% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.0 per 1,000 residents, lower than 94% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 15 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 80.7 years, longer than 94% of American counties. There are 15 active physicians in the county, about 13.7 per 10,000 people. 7.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.20 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 85% of American counties. 93% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 17 points. 83% 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 38°F, highs near 48 and lows near 27, colder than almost every county in America. About 27 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 2 out of 100, safer than 98% of American counties; the county has had 12 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 203 Mbps down, faster than 52% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.3 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery, 3 museums.