Best counties to retire to in Minnesota

Written by:
February 1, 2021
McGhiever // Wikimedia Commons

Best counties to retire to in Minnesota

Buyers and sellers of real estate alike—when asked what are the three most essential considerations about a property—will nearly always reply "location, location, location." While this answer is sometimes tongue-in-cheek, it is often quite accurate, and this reply perhaps applies to retirees more than any other demographic. Settling down after a lifetime of working and perhaps raising a family calls for the perfect location: a spot where you can enjoy life with as few concerns as possible.

When seniors aged 65 years or older decide on where they want to live out their golden years, they consider very specific factors, such as the cost of living, government services, health care facilities, weather and overall climate, crime rate, outdoor recreational activities, eating establishments, cultural and entertainment opportunities, and more.

Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to retire in Minnesota using data from Niche. Niche ranks counties based on a variety of factors including cost of living, healthcare, recreation and weather.

Location is critical as retirees determine where to spend their senior years enjoying favorite activities; however, it’s a very unique decision based on a multitude of preferences and needs. Whether it be bustling downtowns or access to parks, affordable home prices or cultural amenities like museums, retirees seeking to settle in a permanent spot are sure to find a private paradise in any of these counties recommended by Niche because, in the end, there is no place like home—no matter the location.

Read on to discover the best counties to retire to in Minnesota.

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Ed Lombard // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Koochiching County

- Population: 12,644
- Median home value: $106,300 (77% own)
- Median rent: $615 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $47,129
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McGhiever // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Todd County

- Population: 24,440
- Median home value: $149,300 (82% own)
- Median rent: $644 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $52,872
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Jonathunder // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Freeborn County

- Population: 30,526
- Median home value: $111,400 (75% own)
- Median rent: $668 (25% rent)
- Median household income: $52,447
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Jonathunder // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Itasca County

- Population: 45,203
- Median home value: $159,000 (80% own)
- Median rent: $683 (20% rent)
- Median household income: $53,022
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Mulad // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Ramsey County

- Population: 541,493
- Median home value: $219,400 (59% own)
- Median rent: $969 (41% rent)
- Median household income: $62,304
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AlexiusHoratius // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Wabasha County

- Population: 21,500
- Median home value: $173,100 (81% own)
- Median rent: $693 (19% rent)
- Median household income: $65,138
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David Daniel // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Cottonwood County

- Population: 11,372
- Median home value: $90,800 (78% own)
- Median rent: $644 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $53,354
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Jonathunder // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Pipestone County

- Population: 9,185
- Median home value: $97,700 (74% own)
- Median rent: $546 (26% rent)
- Median household income: $52,309
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SH5544 // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Otter Tail County

- Population: 57,992
- Median home value: $179,500 (79% own)
- Median rent: $669 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $57,131
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McGhiever // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Chippewa County

- Population: 12,010
- Median home value: $114,600 (67% own)
- Median rent: $589 (33% rent)
- Median household income: $54,552
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McGhiever // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Fillmore County

- Population: 20,888
- Median home value: $152,900 (80% own)
- Median rent: $632 (20% rent)
- Median household income: $59,451
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Bobak Ha'Eri // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Brown County

- Population: 25,211
- Median home value: $135,800 (78% own)
- Median rent: $588 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $57,728
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McGhiever // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Redwood County

- Population: 15,331
- Median home value: $100,800 (78% own)
- Median rent: $626 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $53,230
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McGhiever // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Crow Wing County

- Population: 63,855
- Median home value: $194,400 (76% own)
- Median rent: $780 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $54,508
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McGhiever // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Cass County

- Population: 29,022
- Median home value: $182,700 (82% own)
- Median rent: $713 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $50,173
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Jonathunder // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Faribault County

- Population: 13,896
- Median home value: $88,500 (77% own)
- Median rent: $575 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $52,286
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Jonathunder // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Jackson County

- Population: 10,047
- Median home value: $120,000 (78% own)
- Median rent: $659 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $57,010
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Jonathunder // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Lincoln County

- Population: 5,707
- Median home value: $94,300 (78% own)
- Median rent: $588 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $52,301
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McGhiever // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Douglas County

- Population: 37,203
- Median home value: $209,800 (74% own)
- Median rent: $744 (26% rent)
- Median household income: $60,676
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McGhiever // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Pope County

- Population: 10,980
- Median home value: $165,000 (78% own)
- Median rent: $607 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $58,132
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Jet Lowe // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Lac qui Parle County

- Population: 6,773
- Median home value: $85,600 (80% own)
- Median rent: $547 (20% rent)
- Median household income: $52,199
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McGhiever // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Murray County

- Population: 8,353
- Median home value: $113,300 (82% own)
- Median rent: $628 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $57,500
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Jonathunder // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Martin County

- Population: 19,964
- Median home value: $114,900 (73% own)
- Median rent: $640 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $53,915
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McGhiever // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Hubbard County

- Population: 20,862
- Median home value: $189,500 (82% own)
- Median rent: $672 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $55,472
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McGhiever // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Big Stone County

- Population: 5,016
- Median home value: $97,900 (73% own)
- Median rent: $557 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $51,920

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