Watonwan
Minnesota

What stands out

Against every county in America, Watonwan County is unusual in two ways: the home price against local income is in the bottom 8% of American counties (1.4 years of income) and life expectancy is in the top 14% of American counties (79.2 years). Within Minnesota it ranks 6th of 87 counties for the home price against local income, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Watonwan County, Minnesota. 11,205 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.3% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -181).

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 $65,197 a year, higher than 63% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $48,323. Unemployment runs 2.5%, lower than 82% of American counties. 4% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 21 minutes each way.

Minnesota takes 6.1% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,950 a year.

Home

The median home costs $176K, cheaper than 73% of American counties, about 1.4 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $780 a month. Property tax is 1.13% of home value, roughly $1,348 a year on that median home, higher than 69% of American counties. 80% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.3 per 1,000 residents, lower than 79% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 9 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 79.2 years, longer than 86% of American counties. There are 10 active physicians in the county, about 8.9 per 10,000 people. 9.8% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.09 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 76% of American counties. 88% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 7 points. 71% 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 37, colder than 84% of American counties. About 28 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 37 out of 100, safer than 63% of American counties; the county has had 13 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 142 Mbps down, slower than 74% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.