Nicollet
Minnesota

What stands out

Three things set Nicollet County apart from the other 3,142 counties: violent crime is in the bottom 3% of American counties (2.8 per 1,000), the uninsured rate is in the bottom 4% of American counties (5.1%), and unemployment is in the bottom 5% of American counties (2.0%). Within Minnesota it ranks 10th of 87 counties for violent crime, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Nicollet County, Minnesota. 34,380 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.3% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -191).

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 $79,113 a year, higher than 86% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $56,235. Unemployment runs 2.0%, lower than 95% of American counties. 13% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 15 minutes each way.

Minnesota takes 6.2% of that median income in state income tax, about $4,897 a year.

Home

The median home costs $318K, pricier than 73% of American counties, about 2.3 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $935 a month. Property tax is 1.12% of home value, roughly $2,706 a year on that median home, higher than 68% of American counties. 74% 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 10 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 72 active physicians in the county, about 20.9 per 10,000 people. 5.1% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.37 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 92% of American counties. 95% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 12 points. 74% 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 47°F, highs near 57 and lows near 38, colder than 84% of American counties. About 24 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 52 out of 100, riskier than 52% of American counties; the county has had 22 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 211 Mbps down, faster than 55% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.4 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery.