Lincoln
Minnesota

What stands out

Against every county in America, Lincoln County is unusual in three ways: the overdose death rate is in the bottom 4% of American counties (0 per 100,000), the share working from home is in the top 5% of American counties (16%), and the school test score is in the top 10% of American counties (3.38 where 3.0 is grade level). Within Minnesota it ranks 23rd of 87 counties for the overdose death rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Lincoln County, Minnesota. 5,630 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 1.0% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -3).

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 $64,750 a year, higher than 62% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $45,358. Unemployment runs 2.9%, lower than 69% of American counties. 16% of workers work from home.

Minnesota takes 6.1% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,920 a year.

Home

The median home costs $205K, cheaper than 61% of American counties, about 1.8 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $678 a month. Property tax is 1.03% of home value, roughly $1,431 a year on that median home, higher than 62% of American counties. 82% 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 79.1 years, longer than 85% of American counties. There are 3 active physicians in the county, about 5.3 per 10,000 people. 6.6% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.26 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 90% of American counties. 93% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 18 points. 73% 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 45°F, highs near 56 and lows near 35, colder than 90% of American counties. About 31 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 12 out of 100, safer than 88% of American counties; the county has had 14 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 135 Mbps down, slower than 76% 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, 1 brewery.