Rock
Minnesota

What stands out

Against every county in America, Rock County is unusual in three ways: unemployment is among the lowest in America (1.7%), the school test score is among the highest in America (3.71 where 3.0 is grade level), and violent crime is in the bottom 8% of American counties (3.0 per 1,000). Within Minnesota it ranks 1st of 87 counties for unemployment, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Rock County, Minnesota. 9,659 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population held steady at 0.0% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +55).

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 $75,060 a year, higher than 82% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $53,870. Unemployment runs 1.7%, lower than almost every county in America. 10% of workers work from home.

Minnesota takes 6.2% of that median income in state income tax, about $4,621 a year.

Home

The median home costs $270K, pricier than 62% of American counties, about 2.0 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $804 a month. Property tax is 0.70% of home value, roughly $1,329 a year on that median home, lower than 65% of American counties. 77% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.0 per 1,000 residents, lower than 92% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 7 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 77.3 years, longer than 68% of American counties. There are 14 active physicians in the county, about 14.5 per 10,000 people. 5.9% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.64 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 28 points. 75% 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 58 and lows near 36, colder than 84% of American counties. About 23 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 29 out of 100, safer than 71% of American counties; the county has had 16 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 163 Mbps down, slower than 66% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery.