Lake of the Woods
Minnesota

What stands out

Against every county in America, Lake of the Woods County is unusual in three ways: the average temperature is among the coldest in America (40°F), population growth is among the fastest shrinking in America (-2.8% a year), and natural-hazard risk is in the bottom 2% of American counties (2 of 100). Within Minnesota it ranks 6th of 87 counties for the average temperature, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Lake of the Woods County, Minnesota. 3,786 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 2.8% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -95).

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 $61,667 a year, higher than 53% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $54,228. Unemployment runs 3.2%, lower than 56% of American counties. 7% of workers work from home.

Minnesota takes 6.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,710 a year.

Home

The median home costs $232K, cheaper than 51% of American counties, about 2.6 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $890 a month. Property tax is 0.69% of home value, roughly $1,399 a year on that median home, lower than 67% 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 86% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 78.9 years, longer than 83% of American counties. There is 1 active physician in the county, about 2.6 per 10,000 people. 6.5% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.85 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 57% of American counties. 96% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 35 points. 80% 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 40°F, highs near 51 and lows near 28, colder than almost every county in America. About 21 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 18 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 88 Mbps down, slower than 91% 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.