Swift
Minnesota

What stands out

If you had to describe Swift County in numbers, start here: the overdose death rate is in the bottom 4% of American counties (0 per 100,000), the average temperature is in the bottom 10% of American counties (46°F), and the school test score is in the top 11% of American counties (3.35 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 Swift County, Minnesota. 9,806 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 0.5% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -101).

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 $58,362 a year, lower than 57% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $55,905. Unemployment runs 3.0%, lower than 64% of American counties. 6% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 20 minutes each way.

Minnesota takes 6.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,486 a year.

Home

The median home costs $201K, cheaper than 62% of American counties, about 1.7 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $777 a month. Property tax is 0.88% of home value, roughly $1,169 a year on that median home, higher than 51% of American counties. 74% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.4 per 1,000 residents, lower than 75% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 78.6 years, longer than 81% of American counties. There are 2 active physicians in the county, about 2.0 per 10,000 people. 7.6% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.15 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 89% of American counties. 93% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 10 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 46°F, highs near 57 and lows near 35, colder than 90% of American counties. About 32 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 19 out of 100, safer than 81% of American counties; the county has had 19 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 240 Mbps down, faster than 69% of American counties. There are 4 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.9 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.