Otter Tail County, Minnesota
AffordabilityAffordability: grade C, better than 30% of US counties
WeatherWeather: grade C, better than 46% of US counties
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade B, better than 64% of US counties
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade C, better than 41% of US counties
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade B, better than 63% of US counties
- top 8% for park & nature access
- bottom 6% for income tax
Otter Tail County is a county in Minnesota with about 60,000 residents. It grades B for safety & wellbeing and C for affordability. Standout strengths include park & nature access, school quality, and summer humidity. It rates lower on estimated total tax burden and income tax.
Official websiteco.otter-tail.mn.us (opens in new tab)
Climate
Warm summers · Harsh winters · Moderate rain · Heavy snow
freezing
v.cold
cold
comf.
warm
comf.
cold
v.cold
freez.
75%53%clearovercast
Precipitation 4.1 in0.7 in
humid 21%dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$68k70th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$43kbetter than 80% of US counties
Home Value$234k77th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$769better than 62% of US counties
Monthly Owner Costs$1kbetter than 28% of US counties
Property Tax Rate0.80%better than 54% of US counties
Income Tax9.90%better than 6% of US counties
Sales Tax8.04%better than 38% of US counties
Estimated total tax burden15.31%better than 7% of US counties
Unemployment5.3%better than 39% of US counties
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)9°F1st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)70°F12th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation27.5 in22nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall49.0 inbetter than 12% of US counties
Sunny Days232 daysbetter than 43% of US counties
Summer Humidity59°Fbetter than 80% of US counties
Comfortable Days82 daysbetter than 57% of US counties
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk79.4better than 20% of US counties
School Quality76.4better than 80% of US counties
Violent Crime436/100kbetter than 74% of US counties
Property Crime714/100kbetter than 60% of US counties
Community
Population60,07272nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age46.183rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.1425th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio1.0267th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningR+3343rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)91.1%76th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)1.0%37th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)3.7%40th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)0.5%43rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)3.7%57th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time21 minbetter than 71% of US counties
Walkability5.9/20better than 45% of US counties
Airport Distance160 mibetter than 22% of US counties
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access83.7%better than 52% of US counties
Amenities Nearby0.50better than 30% of US counties
Park & Nature AccessExcellentbetter than 92% of US counties
Frequently asked questions
- Is Otter Tail County an affordable place to live?
- Otter Tail County is relatively affordable. Its cost-of-living index is $43k, better than 80% of comparable areas.
- What is the median home value in Otter Tail County?
- The median home value in Otter Tail County is $234k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in Otter Tail County?
- Median household income in Otter Tail County is $68k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in Otter Tail County?
- Median gross rent in Otter Tail County is $769 a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Is Otter Tail County safe?
- Otter Tail County is safer than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 436/100k (better than 74%). Property crime is 714/100k.
- What is the weather like in Otter Tail County?
- Otter Tail County averages 70°F in July and 9°F in January, with 27.5 in of annual precipitation and about 232 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Otter Tail County?
- Public-school quality in Otter Tail County is above average, scoring better than 80% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Otter Tail County?
- The average one-way commute in Otter Tail County is 21 min.
Other counties in Minnesota
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Data sources
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)